Jaded Evidence interactive investigation · WATCH-299
Christina Lynn Downer / Brandon & Markowski
Los Angeles County, California · Evidence-first case file
Current status: Two murder bookings; District Attorney filing decision pending · Updated October 31, 2026
Evidence key and legal standard
VerifiedAllegationReportedUnresolved
Charges and investigative allegations are not findings of guilt. Assertions are attributed to the agency, prosecutor, defense, witness or document that made them. A booking or indictment is not a conviction.
01 | Case overview and current legal status
Christina Lynn Downer was reported missing in December 2025. LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division later assumed the investigation after her cellphone washed ashore on Santa Monica Beach. On October 29, 2026, police arrested Delorean Bijon Brandon and Kaylee Nicole Markowski and booked both on suspicion of murder. Police allege they were responsible for Downer’s death, disposal and concealment. Filing decisions and all allegations remain subject to court review.
Courthouse, judge and attorneys
No filed complaint or arraignment was verified. LAPD said detectives planned to present the matter to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for filing consideration. A judge, prosecutor and defense counsel therefore were not yet identified.
02 | Victim background
Christina Lynn Downer was 38 and also known as Christina Lynn Fowlie. California’s missing-person record lists November 26, 2025 as her last contact. Public reporting describes her family’s prolonged effort to locate her.
03 | People and documented roles
Christina Lynn Downer
Missing woman whom LAPD now alleges was killed.
Delorean Bijon Brandon
Downer’s reported boyfriend; arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.
Kaylee Nicole Markowski
Second person arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.
LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division
Unit leading the investigation after discovery of Downer’s phone.
Los Angeles County District Attorney
Office expected to decide what, if any, charges to file.
04 | Interactive timeline
Select an event to expand its verified or attributed detail.
November 26, 2025
California’s missing-person record lists Downer’s last contact
California’s missing-person record lists Downer’s last contact.
December 18, 2025
Downer is reported missing after her former husband requests a welfare check
Downer is reported missing after her former husband requests a welfare check.
2026 — date not disclosed
Downer’s cellphone washes ashore on Santa Monica Beach; Robbery-Homicide assumes the investigation
Downer’s cellphone washes ashore on Santa Monica Beach; Robbery-Homicide assumes the investigation.
October 2026
Investigators search a Joshua Tree location for evidence related to the disappearance
Investigators search a Joshua Tree location for evidence related to the disappearance.
October 29, 2026
Brandon and Markowski are arrested and booked on suspicion of murder
Brandon and Markowski are arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.
October 30, 2026
LAPD announces the arrests and planned presentation to the District Attorney
LAPD announces the arrests and planned presentation to the District Attorney.
05 | Investigation and evidence
Cellphone recovery
The phone’s recovery reportedly changed the direction of the missing-person investigation. Forensic contents and chain of custody have not been released.
Conflicting account
Police said Brandon claimed Downer moved out while leaving her vehicle, dog and belongings. That account is attributed to LAPD and has not been adjudicated.
Joshua Tree search
Authorities searched a location for evidence; no official inventory or finding from that search has been released.
Body recovery and forensic findings
The reviewed sources did not establish that Downer’s remains had been recovered or identify medical-examiner findings.
06 | Prosecution and defense theories
Prosecution or law-enforcement position
There was no filed prosecution theory at the cutoff. LAPD alleges Brandon and Markowski were responsible for the killing, disposal and concealment. Defendant-specific conduct must be established in filed documents.
Defense position
No charges, pleas, counsel appearances or defense statements had been verified. The presumption of innocence applies.
07 | Trial testimony and courtroom developments
Known witnesses who will testify
No witness list exists. Family members, investigators, digital-forensics witnesses and search personnel may become relevant, but none is represented as a confirmed trial witness.
Current record: No trial testimony is summarized unless it occurred in a documented proceeding. Hearing dates are not represented as trial dates.
08 | Verdict, sentencing and appeals
No filed complaint, plea, verdict or sentence. Both arrests were reported with $2 million bail while the filing decision remained pending.
09 | Unresolved questions
- Will the District Attorney file charges, and against whom?
- Has Downer’s body been recovered?
- What did the phone and Joshua Tree search establish?
- What evidence supports the alleged disposal and concealment?
- Who represents each arrested person?
10 | Court records and source documents
- California Attorney General — Christina Lynn Downer missing-person record
- CBS Los Angeles — LAPD-attributed arrest announcement
Documents still needed
Certified charging documents, docket entries, counsel appearances, medical-examiner or coroner records, warrant returns, admitted exhibits and transcripts will be linked here when publicly released and independently verified.