Nearly a year after Christina Lynn Downer vanished in Los Angeles, investigators have reached a major turning point in a case that left her family searching for answers. What began as a missing-person investigation in December 2025 gradually developed into a complex inquiry involving a missing cellphone, disputed accounts of her final days and a search at a property near Joshua Tree.

The latest developments have brought two people connected to Downer into the centre of the investigation. Among them is her boyfriend, while her brother, Saturday Night Live writer Jimmy Fowlie, has continued to speak publicly about his family’s efforts to uncover the truth.

Who Are the Two Suspects Arrested in the Christina Downer Case?

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested 41-year-old Delorean Bijon Brandon and 34-year-old Kaylee Nicole Markowski on October 29, 2026, on suspicion of murder in connection with Downer’s disappearance.

Brandon was Downer’s boyfriend. He was arrested in the 6000 block of Garvanza Avenue in Los Angeles, near Figueroa Street in the Highland Park area.

Markowski was taken into custody the same day in the 6000 block of Tampa Avenue in Tarzana.

Both suspects were booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center, with bail set at $2 million each.

According to the LAPD, detectives believe Brandon and Markowski were responsible for Downer’s murder, the disposal of her body and the concealment of their involvement.

Police have not publicly released the complete body of evidence supporting these allegations. The department has also not disclosed every investigative step that led detectives to identify the two individuals.

The arrests represent a significant development, but they do not establish criminal guilt. Both individuals remain accused suspects, and the allegations must proceed through the criminal justice system.

Following another missing person case
If you want to follow another developing missing-person investigation involving a well-known television figure’s family, explore our Savannah Guthrie TODAY show Nancy Guthrie search report for the latest reported details.

Christina Downer Was Reported Missing in December 2025

Downer’s disappearance first came to public attention on December 18, 2025, when her former husband requested a welfare check after being unable to reach her for an extended period.

The LAPD subsequently issued a missing-person bulletin on December 23, providing details about her last known contact and whereabouts.

According to the original police notice, Downer had last been contacted by a friend through a text message on December 10, 2025. Her last known location was identified as the Koreatown area of Los Angeles.

Her family also turned to social media in an effort to find her.

Her brother, Jimmy Fowlie, shared a missing-person flyer and photographs of Downer, including images of her dog, Rex. He asked the public to help locate his sister and bring attention to her disappearance.

Fowlie provided additional details about their family’s last contact with her. He said he had last heard from Downer on November 26 and that she had remained active on social media until December 15, although their last telephone conversation had taken place earlier.

These different dates became relevant as investigators attempted to establish the timeline of Downer’s disappearance and determine who had been communicating through her accounts.

What Did Delorean Brandon Initially Tell Investigators?

One of the important aspects of the investigation involved Brandon’s initial explanation of Downer’s absence.

According to the LAPD, Brandon told investigators that Downer had moved out several months earlier.

He reportedly claimed that she had left behind her belongings, vehicle and dog.

That account became part of the investigation as detectives worked to establish when Downer had actually disappeared and what had happened during the period before she was reported missing.

The LAPD has not publicly explained every investigative step that followed Brandon’s initial statements. However, the department confirmed that the case eventually moved into the hands of detectives from its Robbery-Homicide Division.

A significant development in that transition was the discovery of Downer’s cellphone.

Missing Cellphone Found on Santa Monica Beach

Downer’s cellphone was discovered washed ashore at Santa Monica Beach, adding another important development to an investigation that had already continued for months.

Following the discovery, detectives from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division assumed responsibility for the investigation.

The department has not publicly released a complete account of what investigators learned from the phone or detailed all the evidence collected during the subsequent inquiry.

However, the LAPD said detectives used various investigative techniques and eventually identified Brandon and Markowski as the individuals they believe were responsible for Downer’s murder.

Police also said they believe the pair disposed of her body and concealed their involvement.

Authorities have not publicly identified where Downer’s body was allegedly taken. Her remains have not been publicly reported as recovered in the latest available reporting, and investigators have not provided a public explanation of where they believe she is.

Jimmy Fowlie Said Police Told His Family Christina Was No Longer Alive

Before the October arrests, another major development emerged in April 2026, when Fowlie shared an emotional update about the investigation.

On April 29, he wrote on Instagram that police had informed his family that “Christina is no longer alive” and that the case had transitioned from a missing-person investigation to a homicide investigation.

Fowlie also described how his family’s hopes had changed as they continued seeking answers.

He wrote:

“Our prayers for her to be found safely have transformed into prayers for the truth to be revealed and for those responsible to be held accountable.”

His statement also raised concerns about possible activity involving Downer’s phone and social-media accounts before her disappearance.

Fowlie said his family had reason to believe that someone in possession of her phone had used it to create a misleading impression about her whereabouts.

He wrote:

“The individual(s) in possession of her phone used it to hide the fact she was gone, to ask for money, and to create a false narrative that she was going ‘off the grid.’”

However, there was an important distinction between the family’s understanding of the situation and the LAPD’s public position at that time.

In April, the department disputed the public characterisation that the case had officially been reclassified as a homicide investigation.

Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, police said Downer’s disappearance was suspicious but that she had not been located and the investigation had not been reclassified as a homicide case.

That distinction matters when following the timeline. Fowlie was sharing what he said his family had been told, while the LAPD maintained a different public position.

The October arrests marked a further development, with police now publicly stating that detectives believe Downer was murdered.

LAPD Search Near Joshua Tree Took Place Weeks Before Arrests

Another significant development occurred on October 9, 2026, when investigators searched a property in the Joshua Tree area as part of the investigation.

According to reporting and police information released at the time, investigators were led to an Airbnb property and conducted an extensive search.

The operation involved assistance from K-9 units and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The LAPD said detectives were looking for evidence connected to Downer’s disappearance.

However, authorities did not publicly confirm that the search was specifically intended to locate human remains. They also did not disclose what, if anything, investigators recovered from the property.

The search took place only weeks before Brandon and Markowski were arrested on October 29.

Although the timing places the operation among the major developments preceding the arrests, police have not publicly explained whether evidence recovered during the Joshua Tree search directly contributed to identifying the suspects.

Restraining Orders Connected Christina Downer, Brandon and Markowski

Court documents provide additional background about the relationships among the people connected to the investigation.

According to NBC Los Angeles, Brandon had previously filed restraining orders involving Markowski. Downer had also filed a restraining order involving Markowski approximately a year before her disappearance.

The proceedings were ultimately dismissed because the parties did not appear in court.

These records establish that the individuals had previously been connected through civil restraining-order proceedings. However, their existence does not independently establish a connection to Downer’s disappearance or the alleged murder.

Police have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged crime.

What Police Believe Happened to Christina Downer

The LAPD’s October announcement provided the clearest public description yet of the investigators’ current theory.

Detectives believe Brandon and Markowski were responsible for Downer’s murder and subsequently disposed of her body and concealed their involvement.

Despite the arrests, several important details remain undisclosed.

Key question	What is publicly known
When was Downer last contacted by a friend?	December 10, 2025
When was she reported missing?	December 18, 2025
When was her cellphone found?	It was discovered washed ashore at Santa Monica Beach; the exact date has not been publicly specified in the supplied information.
When did investigators search near Joshua Tree?	October 9, 2026
When were the suspects arrested?	October 29, 2026
Who was arrested?	Delorean Bijon Brandon and Kaylee Nicole Markowski
What were they arrested on suspicion of?	Murder
What was the bail amount?	$2 million each
Have her remains been recovered?	No recovery has been publicly reported in the latest available reporting.
Has police disclosed a motive?	No publicly identified motive.

Investigators have not publicly disclosed when they believe Downer was killed, where her remains are believed to be or what specific evidence connects each suspect to the alleged crime.

Police have also not explained whether the Joshua Tree search produced evidence or whether Downer’s remains have been located.

These unanswered questions remain central to the investigation.

What Happens Next in the Christina Downer Murder Investigation?

Although the arrests mark a major step forward, the legal process is not yet complete.

The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division said detectives plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

The district attorney’s office will review the evidence submitted by investigators and determine what charges, if any, should formally be filed.

For now, Brandon and Markowski remain accused suspects. An arrest and a police allegation are not equivalent to a conviction, and any charges will have to be addressed through the courts if prosecutors formally file them.

The LAPD has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.

How to Provide Information About Christina Downer’s Disappearance

Authorities are continuing to appeal to members of the public who may have information relevant to the case.

Anyone with information can contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division’s West Bureau Section at 213-382-9470.

For non-business hours and weekends, the department has provided the alternative number 1-877-527-3247.

People can also submit anonymous information through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, its online reporting system or the P3 Tips mobile application.

Conclusion

Christina Downer’s disappearance began with a missing-person report in December 2025 and developed into a lengthy investigation involving her missing cellphone, questions about her final days and a search near Joshua Tree.

The October 29 arrests of her boyfriend, Delorean Bijon Brandon, and Kaylee Nicole Markowski have brought the investigation to a significant new stage. The LAPD now believes the two were responsible for Downer’s murder and the subsequent concealment of their involvement.

However, the location of her remains, the alleged motive and the specific evidence behind the accusations have not been publicly established in the available information. With detectives preparing to present their findings to prosecutors, the investigation continues as her family seeks answers.

Looking back at another disappearance report
If you want to read about another missing-person case that received widespread attention before reaching a different outcome, explore our Kamar Williams found safe report for the reported timeline.

Source and Research Disclaimer

This article has been prepared following research of the sources listed below, using the information available in the supplied police statements, court-record reporting and news coverage. Allegations have been attributed to the LAPD or the relevant reporting, and distinctions between confirmed information, reported details and police claims have been maintained. The article does not imply independent verification beyond what the provided sources support. The investigation and potential prosecution remain ongoing, and further information may emerge.

Sources

• Los Angeles Police Department: Christina Downer Missing-Person Bulletin
• NBC Los Angeles: Latest Arrests and Investigation Details
• ABC7 Los Angeles: LAPD-Confirmed Arrests and Filing Information
• Los Angeles Times: Two Arrested on Suspicion of Killing Christina Downer
• Los Angeles Times: April 2026 LAPD Clarification
• NBC Los Angeles: Joshua Tree Search
• SFGATE: Background on the Joshua Tree Search and Earlier Investigation

Featured Image Credit: LAPD / Office of the Attorney General