The Murder of Cori Desmond
For this case, I watched an episode of On the Case With Paula Zahn. It’s season 8 episode 14, titled ‘Ring of Truth.’
A 28-year-old woman’s body is found in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Background
Cori Daye Desmond grew up in Redondo Beach, a popular beach area, about 34 minutes from Los Angeles.
Cori had graduated from college with a degree in criminal justice, but wanted to be a teacher. At the time of her death, she worked at a bar to save money, and lived with her grandmother.
Cori was described as fiercely independent, happy, outgoing, and smart.
Cori Desmond
The Discovery
On Monday, February 16, 2009, around 2:20pm, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department responded to a call.
The body of a young woman was found wrapped in trash bags, at the bottom of a cliff. It was apparent that the body had been transported to the location, but not killed there.
A heavy rain washed away any potential evidence the police had. There had been signs of tire tracks when they first arrived at the scene. The police also had to transport the body, which was unusual, as that’s the last thing they do to preserve the scene.
The Autopsy
The victim was identified as 28-year-old Cori Daye Desmond. She had been identified by her fingerprints and drivers license photo.
Cori had been brutally attacked, and killed. Her cause of death was a combination of strangulation, and suffocation.
Cori had a lot of bruising to her face, around her neck, and had injuries to the back of her head. Cori had tried to fight back, as she had several defensive wounds.
The medical examiner couldn’t pinpoint a time of death, due to the weather conditions. However, they believed Cori had been outside about 12-36 hours before she was found.
Cori’s pants had been found unbuttoned, and around her knees, but there was no sign of a sexual assault.
Cori’s Final Moments
The police now had to notify Cori’s family. She had been living with her grandmother at the time. Her grandmother called her son, Cori’s father, Mark, to notify him. As soon as Mark found out about Cori’s death, he began his own investigation. He said the love he had for his daughter gave him the strength to search for her killer.
Cori, with her father, Mark Desmond
Mark found Cori’s abandoned Jeep, on a side street near the bar where she worked. The police were then able to determine that Cori disappeared on Saturday, February 14.
Around 9:30pm, Cori finished her shift. She then walked two blocks to a popular bar called the Bar Street Lounge. Cori was known to many people, and employees of the bar, as she had friends that worked there.
Cori was caught on surveillance cameras, helping her friends behind the bar. Many witnesses also told the police that Cori had gotten into a heated dispute with a man, over how he spoke to another bar patron. The man had left the bar before Cori did. Cori didn’t leave the bar until closing, at around 2am.
The man was questioned. He did admit that he got into an argument with Cori, but denied killing her. He agreed to a polygraph, and to a search of his home, and car. Nothing was found, and he did have an airtight alibi after he left the bar.
Cori was last seen on surveillance cameras at 2:26am. Her friend Brittany assumed that Cori had been on her way to Bogey’s Bar, where she worked. The bar owner told the police that Brittany had just left before Corri arrived. Cori had asked to use the bathroom, but that they told her no, because the place had already closed.
An Interesting Tip
The police believed that Cori was killed almost immediately after she walked away from Bogey’s Bar on February 14.
The case was going cold, until the police received an anonymous tip. The caller, later revealed to be from a woman named Tiffany Ware, had told the police to look into her boyfriend Tony Lopez Perez.
Tiffany called several times, and agreed to meet with Detective Trevis Newport. They met at a park, where Tiffany revealed why she suspected her boyfriend.
Tiffany said that on February 14, she and Tony, had planned a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Tony had to work, but was expected to be home around 11:30pm. He didn’t return home until around 4:30am, and told her that he had been drinking, and passed out in his car.
A few days later, Tony bought cleaning products, and had been seen by Tiffany, cleaning their white Durango. He then sold the car, and bought a new one.
Tiffany also revealed that Tony had surprised her with a trip to Big Bear Lake, up in the San Bernardino Mountains. Tiffany said that on the way, Tony had stopped, and asked if her she thought that the woman who had gone missing was dumped there.
Tony’s Changing Stories
The police searched through Tony’s background, and discovered that he didn’t have a criminal history. He was supposedly a family man, and had a son with Tiffany.
The police visited Tony at home, and said that they were just doing a routine neighborhood canvass. Tony appeared calm, and told them that he didn't know anything about Cori Desmond.
The police tracked down Tony’s white Durango. They sprayed the inside with BlueStar, and it lit up.
Tony was asked to come into the police station. At first, he said he never saw Cori. Later, he said she may have seen her, and he whistled at her, outside of Bogey’s Bar.
He changed his story again, when he told the police that he saw Cori passed out under a streetlight. He tried to shake her, but she didn’t wake up. He then put Cori into his car, drove home, went to sleep, and then went to work the next morning. After work, he wrapped Cori up in trash bags, and drove her out to the mountains.
The police asked Tony (Perez) to demonstrate how he tried to help Cori. In a recording, Lt. Tony DeCecio, played the part of Cori. Lt. DeCecio revealed that Tony (Perez) had put his hands around his neck, and applied pressure.
The Arrest
Tony Perez was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The next day, Tony led the police to the exact area where he dumped Cori’s body. He told them that he had flung Cori’s body. He also revealed that she had been alive when he found her, but passed out, and that he “accidentally” killed her when he tried to help.
Cori’s blood was a positive match to the blood found inside Tony’s car.
At Tony’s trial, the prosecution said that Tony had seen Cori walking to her car, after she left the bar. He decided to stalk, and kill her, and that the murder was sexually motivated.
Tony’s girlfriend Tiffany, testified that he had an addiction to sex, and that he always wanted more.
The prosecution also used a stopwatch to demonstrate how much time Tony had to decide whether to kill Cori or not.
After a day of deliberations, Tony was found guilty of first degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
Tony Lopez Perez
FINAL THOUGHTS
THIS IS WHY WOMEN ARE AFRAID TO WALK, OR DO ANYTHING ALONE. It’s because of men like Tony, who are out lurking in the streets.
Cori was only 28 years old, and taken way too soon. She was brutally killed, and tossed out like garbage. Tony deserves to rot in prison, and I hope he’s haunted by what he has done.
Also, Tony, actually had three kids, who now have to grow up without a father.
Sources
https://www.pe.com/2011/09/13/san-bernardino-county-killer-of-waitress-sentenced/
https://easyreadernews.com/cori-desmond-trial/
https://easyreadernews.com/cori-desmond-decision/
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2011/09/13/cori-desmonds-killer-gets-25-to-life/
https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/cori-desmond-killer-sentenced.html
