Last Breath: 6

Summary

48 Hours: NCIS – Episode 6: "Last Breath"

Introduction

In the gripping sixth episode of the premiere season of "48 Hours: NCIS," hosted by CBS News correspondent Natalie Morales, the harrowing case of Erin Corwin unfolds. Erin, a 19-year-old Marine wife, mysteriously disappeared in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. Nearly two months later, her body was discovered in an abandoned mine, leading to suspicions that fell on a fellow Marine, Christopher Lee. This episode delves deep into the complexities of the case, exploring themes of infidelity, betrayal, and the quest for justice.

The Disappearance and Discovery of Erin Corwin

[Natalie Morales, 00:01]: "Just over two years since Erin left the Marine base and never came back, her family finally had the answer of what happened to her and who did it. Christopher Lee killed her."

Erin Corwin’s disappearance sent shockwaves through the community. Two months after she vanished, her body was found in a desolate mine, raising immediate suspicions about her fellow Marine, Christopher Lee. The discovery set the stage for a tumultuous investigation and subsequent trial.

The Trial of Christopher Lee

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty played a pivotal role in building the case against Chris Lee. The courtroom atmosphere was tense, especially during Lee’s testimony.

[Clifton Randolph Jr., 01:23]: "It never goes away, especially when you had such a big role in it."

Lee alleged that Erin had abused his daughter, a claim that shocked the court and appeared to be a desperate attempt to justify his actions.

[Beth Ford Roth, 00:39]: "It kind of came out of left field. It kind of seemed like it was this last attempt to paint Aaron in a horrible light, to make some type of excuse for his behavior."

As the trial progressed, it became evident that Lee’s allegations lacked substantial evidence. The defense strategy focused on portraying the killing as voluntary manslaughter rather than first-degree murder.

[Sean Daugherty, 07:15]: "That's what the defense attorney in his closing arguments said, that this was not premeditated. Very last minute."

The prosecution countered by emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crime, presenting evidence that Lee had ample time to reconsider his actions during the murder.

NCIS Involvement and Perspectives

NCIS analyst Ashley de Chelfin remained engaged with the case through reporter Beth Ford Roth’s blog and national news coverage, despite NCIS’s official involvement having concluded.

[Clifton Randolph Jr., 05:06]: "When Shawn first told me, I was just like, you know, there's just no way, absolutely no way Erin would do anything like that."

Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. reflected on the lasting impact the case had on him and his colleagues, highlighting the emotional toll of such intense investigations.

Key Courtroom Moments

One of the most harrowing moments of the trial was Lee’s demonstration of the murder method using a dummy and a garrote, intended to illustrate the brutality of his actions.

[Beth Ford Roth, 16:11]: "I was absolutely shocked because he had no emotion about it. It was kind of like, oh, okay, yeah, I'll do that."

The demonstration underscored the deliberate and calculated nature of the murder, leaving a profound impact on those present.

[Clifton Randolph Jr., 20:31]: "It was dead silent. And I got the point across. I stopped. They get it."

The Verdict and Aftermath

After intense deliberations, the jury swiftly returned a verdict, convicting Christopher Brandon Lee of first-degree murder and sentencing him to life without the possibility of parole.

[Beth Ford Roth, 22:40]: "Christopher Brandon Lee was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole."

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty expressed a sense of justice served, while NCIS agents reflected on the enduring significance of the case.

[Clifton Randolph Jr., 23:03]: "The special circumstance allegation in the case was lying in wait. And that is, he essentially waited and watched for an opportunity to act, to kill with the intent to kill."

Despite Lee’s attempts to appeal the decision, claiming jury misinstruction, the appellate court upheld the original judgment, cementing his conviction.

Reflections and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with poignant reflections from Erin’s mother, Lor, and other individuals affected by her tragic death. Lor’s visit to the mine shaft where Erin was last seen alive serves as a powerful testament to the enduring pain and quest for closure.

[Sean Daugherty, 35:09]: "Erin's not here. Erin's in heaven."

Beth Ford Roth emphasizes the personal toll the case took on everyone involved, highlighting the universal vulnerability to such tragedies.

[Beth Ford Roth, 30:53]: "There's this feeling of, oh my gosh, it all could have stopped at age 19 and it could have been me, it could have been my older sister. It could have been any 19 year old girl who fell in love with the wrong guy."

Prosecutor Daugherty underscores the importance of recognizing Erin’s vulnerability, challenging sentiments that blame her for the affair that led to her untimely death.

[Clifton Randolph Jr., 31:18]: "I've heard the sentiment that Erin was at fault for having an affair. I just always thought it was important to keep in mind her age and her lack of experience."

Conclusion

"Last Breath" masterfully intertwines true crime journalism with the intense narrative flair of the NCIS franchise, offering listeners a comprehensive and emotionally charged exploration of Erin Corwin’s tragic story. Through meticulous reporting, evocative courtroom drama, and heartfelt personal reflections, this episode stands as a poignant reminder of the profound impacts of loss, justice, and the unyielding pursuit of truth.

Notable Quotes:

• Natalie Morales [00:01]: "For the first time, they finally learned his story. Why? According to Aaron's killer, she allegedly abused his daughter."

• Beth Ford Roth [00:39]: "It kind of came out of left field. It kind of seemed like it was this last attempt to paint Aaron in a horrible light."

• Clifton Randolph Jr. [05:06]: "When Shawn first told me, I was just like, you know, there's just no way, absolutely no way Erin would do anything like that."

• Father Sean Daugherty [15:00]: "I knew about the garrote before the trial. It was still around her neck."

• Lor Aaron [33:27]: "Erin Renee, our sweet, precious daughter... To know that this was where her life was taken from her."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:01: Introduction to Erin Corwin’s disappearance and discovery.

• 02:00: Skipped – Advertisement segment.

• 03:21: Resumption of content after ads.

• 16:11: Chris Lee’s garrote demonstration in court.

• 22:40: Verdict announcement.

• 33:27: Lor Aaron’s memorial visit to the mine shaft.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the emotional and investigative depth of "48 Hours: NCIS" Episode "Last Breath," providing readers with a vivid understanding of the case, the trial dynamics, and its lasting impact on those involved.

Transcript

[Natalie Morales]

A warning to listeners that this episode contains graphic depictions of violence. Just over two years since Erin left the Marine base and never came back, her family finally had the answer of what happened to her and who did it. Christopher Lee killed her. For the first time, they finally learned his story. Why? According to Aaron's killer, she allegedly abused his daughter. The court was shocked by Chris Lee's testimony. It was hard to believe.

[Beth Ford Roth]

It kind of came out of left field. It kind of seemed like it was this last attempt to paint Aaron in a horrible light, to make some type of excuse for his behavior. And it was hard to watch.

[Natalie Morales]

NCIS analyst Ashley de Chelfin kept up with the case thanks to reporter Beth Ford Roth's blog and the national news coverage. Since NCIS's official involvement in Erin's story had concluded, the NCIS agents had done their job. They helped find Erin and the person who killed her. But Special agent Clifton Randolph Jr. Said it was hard to move on from a case they had worked on so intensely years before.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

It never goes away, especially when you had such a big role in it.

[Natalie Morales]

In the news coverage, the agents remembered seeing a side of Chris Lee that chilled them.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

When I saw his testimony, I was surprised by what he said that he had done to Aaron Corwin.

[Beth Ford Roth]

I was surprised that he admitted what he did in the detail that he did.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

I was surprised by his facial expressions. Kind of like he was reading off the script. Yeah, the script.

[Beth Ford Roth]

It was shocking and almost robotic.

[Natalie Morales]

But was Chris Lee telling the truth? I'm CBS News correspondent Natalie morales. This is 48 Hours NCIS episode 6 Last Breath. Why get all your holiday decorations delivered through Instacart? Because maybe you only bought two wreaths but have 12 windows. Or maybe your toddler got very eager with the Advent calendar. Or maybe the inflatable snowman didn't make it through the snowstorm. Or maybe the twinkle lights aren't twinkling. Whatever the reason, this season, Instacart's here for hosts and their whole holiday haul. Get decorations from the Home Depot CVS and more through Instacart and enjoy free delivery on your first three orders. Service fees and terms apply.

[Beth Ford Roth]

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[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

Air in the courtroom when he testified I think initially became very, very heavy.

[Natalie Morales]

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty was seated at the prosecution's table, the one closest to the jury. When Chris testified.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

You could feel the emotions in the courtroom. You could see it on the jurors faces, could have heard a pin drop. I. Very quiet, very serious, very heavy.

[Sean Daugherty]

Yeah.

[Natalie Morales]

Prosecutor Doherty said the court was silent when Chris claimed that many months before he killed Aaron, his wife Nicole was giving their daughter a bath when she noticed something wrong.

[Beth Ford Roth]

And that Nicole said, I think that maybe she's been molested and I think Erin did it.

[Natalie Morales]

Reporter Beth Ford Roth sat in her usual seat in the courtroom, right behind Aaron's mother, Lor. She had watched every second of the trial, making note of every piece of evidence. She didn't want to miss anything. In her daily write up for the blog. She knew the rest of Erin's family would be following along and this part would be especially difficult for them to read. Up to this point, the court knew that Aaron would sometimes babysit Chris and Nicole's daughter. So it might have seemed plausible to the jurors that something could have happened to the Lee's daughter and that Erin could have done it. But the time came for prosecutor Daugherty to cross examine Chris. And Dougherty was prepared for something like this. Chris last ditch attempt to save himself. He spoke to Laur first to prepare her for this possibility.

[Sean Daugherty]

When Shawn first told me, I was just like, you know, there's just no way, absolutely no way Erin would do anything like that. Shawn had actually asked him if they'd noticed any difference in their daughter's behavior once this supposedly all started. And Chris answered no. Like why in the world are you even asking me this? You know?

[Natalie Morales]

Chris had made the allegation. Now he had to prove it. Beth watched how quickly the claim dissolved under pressure.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Did they call military police? No. Did they go to a pediatrician who would have been required to call the police? No. There was no evidence entered in by anyone to say there's evidence this child was molested.

[Natalie Morales]

Special Agent Randolph said the NCIS never received a report about the Lee's daughter on the 29 Palms Marine base. It was known protocol that anyone on base who has any sort of problem, any criminal matter, could and should report it to NCIS.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

There's at least one agent working 24 hours a day that can take any report of any wrongdoing, especially on a military installation. And we don't operate in secret. We interact with the commands and say, hey, we're Here, we're here to assist. So that's why I was shocked being in that area that was never reported to us.

[Natalie Morales]

Clearly, if Erin actually abused the Lee's daughter, her parents didn't appear to take it very seriously to say, well, oh.

[Beth Ford Roth]

We thought Erin did it like six months ago, but we kept letting her babysit. And, you know, I was still having a romantic relationship with her. No, we didn't tell anyone. We just sort of let it go. It didn't make any sense at all.

[Natalie Morales]

But as for why this allegation came up now, that made perfect sense.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Well, the reason to do this was to get the jury to vote for voluntary manslaughter.

[Natalie Morales]

Voluntary manslaughter is the crime of killing another person in circumstances that do not amount to murder. For example, killing without premeditation.

[Beth Ford Roth]

That's what the defense attorney in his closing arguments said, that this was not premeditated. Very last minute. He didn't think about it at all until he was actually doing it. He didn't really know what he was doing. And it was brought in by this incredible love for his daughter and protection for his daughter. And therefore, he would not be guilty of first degree murder, not even second degree murder, but voluntary manslaughter.

[Natalie Morales]

When Chris Lee was arrested, he was charged with first degree murder, killing with the full intention to kill. It's the most serious type of murder, and punished accordingly. In California, if you are convicted of first degree murder, you face 25 years to life in state prison. If you are convicted of voluntary manslaughter, it's a much lesser punishment. You face a sentence of up to 11 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. So if prison was unavoidable, Chris wanted to do as little time as possible.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

I argued during the trial that he wasn't confessing out of some sense of remorse or sadness or anything else. He couldn't care less about that, or Aaron for that matter. He was telling them that story in the hopes that someone would buy the heat of passion argument.

[Natalie Morales]

And in order for anyone to believe the heat of passion argument, his child abuse allegation against Aaron would have to be airtight. The jury would have to believe it to be true.

[Beth Ford Roth]

It was horrifying because the only thing worse than a murderer is a child molester. And so Christopher Brandon Lee tried to make himself the second most terrible person in this story. And if Aaron was the worst person, then he would have been justified for what he did.

[Natalie Morales]

In the courtroom, Beth couldn't believe what she was hearing.

[Beth Ford Roth]

My reaction was immediate emotion. I had to put my head down because I began to cry. This man not only broke this poor girl's heart, he murdered her. And now to save his own skin, he was going to try and ruin her name and turn her into some sort of monster. It was so horrific. And I have a flash of looking at the jury and the jury's face reflected that. It sounded like an absolute, complete and total lie.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

There was no evidence Aaron Corin was molesting his daughter other than from him. His story was ridiculous, even from the basic fact of a 19 year old girl being out in the middle of the desert with someone she loves. And according to him, confessing to a horrible crime just doesn't pass the smell test at all.

[Natalie Morales]

In the very first row of the courtroom, Lor sat listening. She watched Chris Lee admit to killing her daughter. And then she had to watch him try to avoid responsibility in order to shave off a few years from a prison sentence.

[Sean Daugherty]

Chris was trying to cover all his bases, trying to do whatever he needed to do to make things less horrible for him.

[Natalie Morales]

Prosecutor Dougherty had one more thread to pull that he hadn't already. According to Chris testimony, he found out about Aaron allegedly abusing his daughter from his wife, Nicole Lee.

[Beth Ford Roth]

So Nicole was sort of this little insidious thread throughout the trial. The jury never saw her testify, but she was there and her name was mentioned and there was always a suspicion of what did she know, when did she know it?

[Natalie Morales]

There were no charges against Nicole. And while she was kept on call as a witness for both sides at points in the trial, she was never called to testify. Spousal privilege means that wives don't have to testify against their husbands. And the defense never did end up calling Nicole. For reasons that are unclear.

[Beth Ford Roth]

She told more than one person that she didn't care if Erin had died, that if there's no body, there's no case, and that they'll never find the body and that her husband needs to keep his story straight. So there's every indication that Nicole knew, in my opinion, but no charges have been brought against her.

[Natalie Morales]

It was only when the judge was questioning Chris, heat of passion argument, that Nicole was called to court.

[Beth Ford Roth]

After Christopher Brennan Lee testified that Aaron had abused his daughter and that was the reason why he had killed her. The prosecutor asked that Nicole be brought into the courtroom.

[Natalie Morales]

When Nicole arrived in court, she seemed at peace.

[Beth Ford Roth]

She had a big smile on her face. She was wearing her husband's dog tags. You know, she was dressed business suit, makeup, just everything was great.

[Natalie Morales]

Nicole stood in the middle of the court in front of prosecutor Daugherty and the judge. Daugherty said if Nicole's daughter really was put in danger, if Erin really was abusing her, he was prepared to call the child to the stand.

[Beth Ford Roth]

As soon as the prosecutor said, you need to have your daughter available to be brought in as a witness, she started to shake and got very, very angry. I think she was absolutely shocked that the prosecutor sort of called their bluff and said, okay, if you're going to use your daughter as a tool to try and get your husband off of murdering his mistress, we're going to ask her questions. If she was really abused, that we should want to find out what happened to her.

[Natalie Morales]

According to Beth, Nicole stormed out of the courtroom. Beth felt Nicole's emotional response wasn't out of concern for her daughter's well being.

[Beth Ford Roth]

It was almost like at that moment, she realized that that lie wasn't gonna work and that her husband was gonna get convicted of murder.

[Natalie Morales]

So if Erin was innocent, why would Chris kill her? To prosecutor Dougherty, Chris's motive was clear.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

Chris Lee killed Erin Corwin because he didn't want the baggage of a child with another woman and the fact that she was going to be a part of his life for the rest of his life.

[Sean Daugherty]

Chris, when he was on the stand, was talking about the fact that he joined the Marines because he wanted to protect our country. And he had several deployments, but none of them involved him being in action. And he was very disappointed that he did not get to kill anybody.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

He actually said that.

[Sean Daugherty]

He said that.

[Natalie Morales]

If that was painful for Laura to hear, the next bit was excruciating. A warning to listeners that what you're about to hear is graphic.

[Sean Daugherty]

I knew about the garrote before the trial. It was still around her neck.

[Natalie Morales]

As prosecutor Dougherty cross examined Chris on the stand, he felt Chris's story and the way he told it made murdering Aaron sound sort of sterile and one dimensional. Doherty needed to help the jury better visualize the crime. He had a strategy. He had prepared lore for it as he knew she would be watching in the courtroom.

[Sean Daugherty]

Sean warned me that he was going to have Chris demonstrate how he used the garrote. And I did not watch it.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

When I cross examined Chris Lee and we reached the point where I was bringing out the dummy and the garrote, I believe my question was, show me how you did it. Show me how you killed her.

[Natalie Morales]

Reporter Beth Ford Roth was seated near the front of the courtroom. As usual, her eyes fixed on Chris, she watched as he stepped down from.

[Beth Ford Roth]

The stand, the prosecutor had sort of a. It looked like a giant rag doll, basically a human sized doll. And he asked Christopher Lee to demonstrate on the doll how he used the garrote on Aaron Corwin. I was absolutely shocked because he had no emotion about it. It was kind of like, oh, okay, yeah, I'll do that.

[Natalie Morales]

Chris Lee faced the cord, his back to the judge. Beth couldn't look away.

[Beth Ford Roth]

We can see his face. The doll is in front of him. He puts the garrote around the doll's neck and then when he twists it, he turns around and the doll went up. It flew up in the air.

[Natalie Morales]

Beth heard a gasp. The demonstration was violent, but Chris didn't seem aware of this. He continued, when he twisted it, he.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Wasn'T facing her anymore. She was back to back with him. He didn't have to look at her when he was doing this.

[Natalie Morales]

The people in court didn't have to imagine Erin's shock or how her body.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Responded because she was so tiny. Her feet would have flown up in the air. And they never did find her shoes when she was down there. They must have flown off her feet.

[Natalie Morales]

Beth's eyes moved from Chris to Lore.

[Sean Daugherty]

I sat there and put my head down and closed my eyes while he was demonstrating what he had done to my daughter.

[Beth Ford Roth]

And then the prosecutor timed what happened just so that the jury could see how many moments, how many seconds, how many minutes he had to change his mind and stop doing what he was doing to save Aaron's life.

[Natalie Morales]

Earlier in the trial, the medical examiner had testified that it would have taken 20 seconds for Aaron to black out, which means that for 20 seconds she experienced pure conscious panic.

[Beth Ford Roth]

And so the Prosecutor timed out 20 seconds of what she must have experienced.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

And I would ask him every 20 seconds or so could have stopped. You could have stopped. You could have stopped the jurors reactions. They're right in front of me, they're squirming in their chairs. Several of them were tearing up.

[Beth Ford Roth]

I think a lot of us hoped it was. She didn't see it coming. At least she didn't know what was about to happen to her. But she did.

[Natalie Morales]

The medical examiner testified that it would have taken four and a half to five minutes for Aaron to die. Chris stood with the dummy hanging over his shoulder, its legs kicked out and limped. He held the garrote taut until he was told to stop.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

It was dead silent. And I got the point across. I stopped. They get it.

[Beth Ford Roth]

It was so brutal to know that he just stayed There after she was no longer conscious and held her like that for four minutes to make sure she was dead.

[Natalie Morales]

The demonstration proved that Aaron's death was no accident, regardless of whether it was voluntary manslaughter or first degree murder.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

What I was showing to the jury is he had plenty of time to think about life, letting someone live or think about killing them. And once you've had that opportunity, that's premeditation, deliberation when you choose death. And that's certainly what he did. And he could have stopped, which even further shows premeditation, deliberation.

[Natalie Morales]

In the desert, with the garrote still around Erin's neck, Chris had to get rid of her body.

[Beth Ford Roth]

The prosecutor asked how Erin ended up in the mine, and he said, I dragged her with the garrote, and she, she went down headfirst into the mine.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

He didn't initially want to answer. Eventually he admitted that's the way he did it. It was important for the jurors to hear that. It was important for everyone to hear that, but he did. He threw down like a piece of garbage.

[Natalie Morales]

Lore kept her head down during the demonstration, but she knew she would never forget it.

[Sean Daugherty]

One thing that does kind of haunt me is what was going through her brain. What was she thinking when he was choking her? She was with somebody that she thought loved her, somebody she felt she could trust. And my only saving grace is I choose to believe that she was unconscious very quick, that she didn't have much time to think about it.

[Natalie Morales]

After three full days in court, spread across the month of October 2016, the judge sent the jury to deliberate.

[Sean Daugherty]

The day the jury went out, I was so totally drained that I literally was tripping, just walking. I could not pick my feet up.

[Natalie Morales]

Reporter Beth Ford Roth recalled that it didn't take long for the jury to come back with a decision.

[Beth Ford Roth]

So the jury was given the case the last day of trial, after the closing arguments that afternoon, and by the next morning, they had a verdict.

[Sean Daugherty]

It was just a very scary day because you just don't know, you know, what are all these people thinking when the jury filed in? I mean, you're still very apprehensive. You know, I don't have a good read on them.

[Natalie Morales]

The courtroom held its breath, awaiting the verdict.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Christopher Brandon Lee was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

[Sean Daugherty]

When they read that, the verdict, I, you know, immediately thought, we've got justice for you, Aaron.

[Natalie Morales]

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty's strategies in court had paid off.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

The special circumstance allegation in the case was lying in wait. And that is, he essentially waited and watched for an opportunity to act, to kill with the intent to kill. All the evidence in this case pointed that that's exactly what he did.

[Natalie Morales]

Chris sat in the defendant's chair in handcuffs. His expression did not change.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

I didn't look over at him. I've heard he didn't react at all.

[Natalie Morales]

Behind him, his mother started to cry. Lor Aaron's mother fixed her eyes on Chris.

[Sean Daugherty]

Chris would not look at me when he was sitting on the stand and saying how sorry he was that he did this to her. I literally stared at him during that time, and he would not look up at me. You know, if you're truly sorry, look at me and tell me you're sorry. But he would not look at me.

[Natalie Morales]

Chris was led away in handcuffs. The judge returned to his chambers, and the rest of the room filed out. After four long days in court and two years since Aaron's murder, perhaps the community could finally start healing. But there would be no peace for Lore, not yet. Chris wasn't done fighting.

[Sean Daugherty]

He filed an appeal on November 29, 2016, the day of the sentencing hearing.

[Natalie Morales]

In his appeal, Chris claimed that had the jury been more fully instructed, it could have found that he did not premeditate and deliberate the killing, and therefore the jury could have convicted him of second degree murder instead of first degree murder. The appellate court disagreed and affirmed the judgment.

[Sean Daugherty]

And they're basically saying, you have nothing to stand on. But then his attorney has a chance to reply again. This could go on for years and years and years and years. It's just like you're going along just fine, and then all of a sudden, someone rips your emotional scab off again.

[Natalie Morales]

Today, Chris is in prison in San Bernardino County. Since he lost the appeal he filed in 2016, he has not filed another. And since the day he was sentenced, when he couldn't look Lohr in the eyes, it's not clear whether he feels any real remorse for taking Aaron's life young.

[Sean Daugherty]

He's stolen so much from us. But I also talked about the huge ripple effect, you know, yes, it affects us. It affects her siblings. It affects her nieces and nephews. It affects her friends.

[Natalie Morales]

But Lore demonstrates an unbelievable grace.

[Sean Daugherty]

I felt a peace that couldn't be explained pretty much through the whole trial. I had so many people praying for me. That's the only way I can explain the peace that I felt. I have no hate or animosity towards Chris. I've forgiven him a long time ago. If I was hateful and bitter. It wasn't going to bother Chris at all. It would destroy me. And I decided he's already taken enough from me. He's not going to get my heart, my mind, my soul.

[Natalie Morales]

Lore knows that Aaron is not the only victim here.

[Sean Daugherty]

Not only did he throw Aaron under the bus, he threw his daughter under the bus. I mean, what's she going to think when she grows up and Googles all.

[Natalie Morales]

This with astonishing empathy, Lore thinks of the rest of cr, you know, when.

[Sean Daugherty]

His mom gave birth to him and holding him, the dream she had for him. And surely this wasn't one of her dreams. And how proud was she of him when he played football? And how proud was she of him when he joined the Marines? And how excited was she when he was getting discharged and coming home? Not only did he destroy our family, he destroyed his family too.

[Natalie Morales]

When we're putting together a big investigative series like 48 Hours NCIS, it means digging deep, doing the research and piecing together clues. But not everything is a mystery in need of solving. Certainly not your holiday shopping. You don't need to play detective to find the perfect gift.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

Quince can help take the guesswork out.

[Natalie Morales]

Of your list this holiday season with something for everyone and still give you the thrill of finding that special item they wouldn't buy for themselves at a very affordable price. Quince's iconic Mongolian cashmere sweaters, for example, start at just $50 and are an elegant wardrobe essential with the perfect mix of comfort and style. But they also have way more than apparel. 14 Karat Gold jewelry, Italian leather handbags and European linen sheet sets all make great indulgent year round gifts. And for the listeners who do want to play detective, Quince's comfort stretch long trench coat delivers on both style and warmth. At least help you look the part this season. Gift luxury this holiday season without the luxury price tag. Go to quince.com 48hours NCIS for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's quinc.com 48hours NCIS to get free shipping and 365 days returns. Quince.com 48hours NCIS. You know that feeling when you're at Ross and you find the best gifts for way less. Like brand name sweaters, the coolest kids.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Toys and plush dog beds.

[Natalie Morales]

Get that feeling with every gift and save 20 to 60% off other retailers prices at Ross. Yes for less. Following his sentencing, Chris Lee's military service record was amended with a dishonorable discharge. Beth Ford Roth with Her reporting background on military family life says this is a huge deal.

[Beth Ford Roth]

So you're never supposed to say that someone is an ex Marine. He's an ex Marine. After he was honorably discharged, he was.

[Natalie Morales]

Dishonorably discharged with dishonorable discharge status. The US Government does not legally consider Chris Lee a veteran, and therefore he cannot receive veteran benefits. It is an indelible mark on his service, permanent for the rest of his life. And while this doesn't have a serious effect on Chris serving a life sentence, it means his family isn't eligible for benefits either. But as far as we can tell, Nicole is still married to Chris. We couldn't find any divorce records. Her latest address is listed as Chris Mom's house in Alaska. At the White Rock horse rescue, where Erin and the Lee family first came together, Isabel Megley has reminders of Erin everywhere.

[Sean Daugherty]

I had her horse. Her horse just passed away. Every time I saw that horse, I thought of her.

[Natalie Morales]

Erin's murder changed how Isabel runs the horse rescue. I learned that anything can happen.

[Sean Daugherty]

That the friendship I had with a.

[Natalie Morales]

Volunteer is now different.

[Sean Daugherty]

I don't trust.

[Natalie Morales]

I can't believe what they say.

[Sean Daugherty]

And it has changed me to be.

[Natalie Morales]

A little harder, but for the best.

[Sean Daugherty]

Because it can happen. And you can see in this instant, good went to bad in a minute.

[Natalie Morales]

Beth maintains that it was a formative court case for her to cover. As a journalist, she thinks of Erin.

[Beth Ford Roth]

Often, but there's this feeling of, oh my gosh, it all could have stopped at age 19 and it could have been me, it could have been my older sister. It could have been any 19 year old girl who fell in love with the wrong guy.

[Natalie Morales]

Prosecutor Sean Dougherty still defends Erin in a sense, he remembers how vulnerable she was.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

I've heard the sentiment that Erin was at fault for having an affair. I just always thought it was important to keep in mind her age and her lack of experience.

[Natalie Morales]

As for John, Aaron's husband, he is as enigmatic as ever. We know he was remarried after Aaron's murder and they had a child. He's divorced now. The NCIS agents officially closed the case once Chris was convicted. But Aaron's story stays with them.

[Beth Ford Roth]

When you work a case like that, everyone's ultimate goal is to get justice for the victim and to ensure that families have closure. And obviously, it was a very sad circumstance and a very sad thing that occurred. And I think my main focus was, are we getting justice for Erin and her family and the people who loved her?

[Natalie Morales]

In Erin's case, the NCIS Agents helped ensure that justice was served. But her case was just one of many investigations that the agents were conducting at the time. Aaron Corwin was just one victim who Special Agent Randolph and analyst De Chalfin fought for.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

You're working cases simultaneously. There's always mail coming in. You know, deliveries are going out, but mail's coming in. It's a constant process. So there's no moving on really. It's compartmentalized. This is what I'm working with here. This is what I'm working with here. Okay, we got a conviction here. Did we do everything we needed to do to shore this up and ensure that we did everything on our part? So you're never really over it, like, because I, I still, I remember that case. I haven't forgotten it.

[Sean Daugherty]

We are at the mine shaft where Aaron's body was found.

[Natalie Morales]

In March 2018, almost four years after Erin's murder, Lohr visits the place for the first time where her daughter took her last breaths. She goes with 48 Hours producer Paul LaRosa.

[Sean Daugherty]

I wanted the opportunity to be able to come up here to have like a memorial service for her. Like you see the flowers on the side of the road when someone has passed away. I wanted to remember the last place where my daughter was alive.

[Natalie Morales]

In the desert, Lors stands at the opening of the mine shaft. Wind blows against the sands.

[Sean Daugherty]

It's hard to imagine how desolate it is here. Pictures don't do it justice. It's very desolate, very vast. But beauty, just a different kind of beauty.

[Natalie Morales]

Laura bows her head.

[Sean Daugherty]

Erin Renee, our sweet, precious daughter. Sister, aunt, friend. When you were taken from us, we lost our breath of fresh air. Shy, loving, nurturing, trusting, naive. Animal whisperer. You were such a wonderful young lady. A gift from God. We were blessed to be chosen to be your family. I'm sure the angels were saying, come to Jesus as you left us here. My errand sized hole in my heart is a little bit deeper right now. To know that this was where her life was taken from her. To know that she had dreams that were stolen from her. Memories that were taken from us in this spot. Times that we could have spent together.

[Clifton Randolph Jr.]

Do you feel Erin here?

[Sean Daugherty]

No, Erin's not here. Erin's in heaven.

[Natalie Morales]

From CBS News and CBS Studios, this is 48 Hours NCIS original reporting by 48 Hours producer Paula Rosa. Anthony Batson is the senior producer for 48 Hours. Jamie Benson is the senior producer for Paramount Audio. Special thanks to 48 Hours executive producer Judy Tygard, CBS Studios Senior Vice President Rob Luchow and Paramount Audio Vice President Megan Marcus. Our podcast was written and produced by Jay venables, Isabel Kirby McGowan, Kara Shillin, Max Johnston, Megan Adolski, and Ian Enright. Additional reporting and recording by Isabel Kirby McGowan, Jay Venables and Megan Adolski. Our executive producers are Megan Adolski and Ian Enright. Theme and music by Epidemic Sound Original Original music from Goat Rodeo with additional music from Paramount Final Mix by Rebecca Seidel. Ian Enright is our fact checker. Our Production manager is Megan Adolski. I'm Natalie Morales. If you're enjoying this show, be sure to give it a rating and review. It helps more people find it and hear our reporting. If you liked 48 Hours NCIS, check out the rest of our 48 Hours podcasts by searching 48 Hours on your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening. You've worked hard to build your brand, so why settle for one size fits all branded clothing? Land's End Outfitters creates apparel your employees will truly want to wear that unites your team in comfort and style. It's why Land's End Outfitters has been a branded apparel supplier to some of the world's most respected brands for more than 30 years. From Logo polos to fully customized branded wardrobes, our world Class Outfitters will partner with you to help your team feel confident on the job and put your brand into action. All backed by above and beyond expertise. See why Land's End Outfitters should be your branded apparel partner? Go to business.landsend.com pod20 and use code pod20 for 20% off your first product. That's business landsand.com pod20 code pod20 for 20% OFF your first product.