LAPD Charges Two in Death of SNL Writer's Sister
Police arrested a boyfriend and an acquaintance for the murder of Christina Downer, whose body was found on Santa Monica Beach.
By Sofia Wisniewski ·
Two suspects face murder charges in the death of Christina Downer.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Friday that they arrested Delorean Bijon Brandon and Kaylee Nicole Markowski on Thursday. Brandon was Downer's boyfriend, while Markowski was identified as an individual responsible for the crime. The arrests conclude a months-long investigation into Downer's disappearance.
Police report that Downer was last heard from in late 2025. Her ex-husband requested a welfare check on December 18, 2025, after not contacting her for an extended period. At the time, Brandon told officers that she had moved out several months earlier. He claimed she left behind all her belongings, including her vehicle and her dog.
Detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division took over the case after finding Downer's cellphone washed ashore on Santa Monica Beach. Through various investigative techniques, officers determined that Brandon and Markowski killed Downer, disposed of her body, and concealed their involvement. The case officially shifted from a missing person inquiry to a homicide investigation in April 2026.
Saturday Night Live writer Jimmy Fowlie, Downer's brother, first appealed to the public in December 2025. He shared images of his sister on social media to help locate her. In April, he informed his followers that police confirmed Downer was no longer alive. Fowlie stated that he believes the suspects compromised his sister's phone and social media accounts in the weeks before she vanished. He noted that the suspects used the devices to request money and create a false narrative that she was going off the grid.
Fowlie said he is sharing the story to prevent the suspects from erasing his sister's memory. He described Downer as a beautiful person who mattered in the world, especially to him. The LAPD is currently presenting the case to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors review the evidence.
The arrests mark a development in a case that drew public attention after a prominent writer's family sought help finding a missing relative.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
