The search continued over the holiday weekend for a Marine wife who has been missing since June 28.
Nineteen-year-old Erin Corwin, who is three months pregnant, was last seen early on that Saturday morning leaving her home on the military base at Twentynine Palms, California, where her husband is stationed.
Marine Corporal Jonathan Wayne Corwin reported his wife missing the following day and has been cooperating with police.
Family members of the missing woman believe that she was taking a day trip into Joshua Tree National Park to scout out locations for an upcoming visit from her mother, who was soon to be traveling from Knoxville, Tennessee, to celebrate Erin’s 20th birthday on July 15.
CNN reports that the missing wife’s car, a blue 2013 Toyota Corolla, was found last Monday near the military base. There have been no other leads in the case.
Since her disappearance, search teams have combed through the area on foot and have searched by air, but they have not been able to track Corwin’s whereabouts. The police say her disappearance is suspicious, and homicide investigators are taking the lead in the case now.
Sheriff’s officials called in a specialized group of investigators who typically handle homicides to work on the case, according to NBC Los Angeles .
“They felt it was necessary for those investigators to get involved early on,” said Cindy Bachman of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. “They said there were some suspicious circumstances.”
A sheriff’s helicopter, as well as rescue personnel, were searching last week in and around Joshua Tree National Park. Temperatures near the search area reached more than 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
According to a previous Inquisitr article , Erin’s family was not yet aware of her pregnancy prior to her disappearance. This will be the couple’s first child.
Erin’s family has established a Facebook page to share information and solicit tips in the case. The latest update was posted on Sunday July 6 and states that Erin’s parents were able to meet with the lead detective on the case but there have been no new updates.
ABC News reports that some of Erin’s family members traveled to California last week from Tennessee to help with the investigation. Her mother, Lore Heavilin, gave an interview with ABC’s Palm Springs affiliate, KESQ TV , saying:
“I’d give anything to give her a hug right now.”
The Marine wife has now been missing for nine days. Anyone with information about Corwin is asked to call the San Bernardino County sheriff’s Specialized Investigation Division at (909) 387-3589 or sheriff’s dispatch at (909) 387-8313. To remain anonymous, call the WeTip hotline at (800) 782-7463.