48 Hours: NCIS – Episode: "The Honeymoon is Over: 2"

Introduction

In the gripping second episode of the premiere season, "The Honeymoon is Over: 2," CBS News' 48 Hours teams up with the iconic NCIS franchise to delve deeper into the tragic disappearance of 19-year-old Marine wife, Erin Corwin. Hosted by CBS News correspondent Natalie Morales, this episode unpacks the intricate web of infidelity, betrayal, and the unforgiving Mojave Desert that led to Erin's untimely death.

Disappearance of Erin Corwin

On June 30, 2014, just two days after Erin Corwin vanished in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, local water department workers in Twentynine Palms stumbled upon her blue Toyota Corolla abandoned in the middle of the desert.

Natalie Morales [01:05]: "The car Erin Corwin was driving the day she went missing."

Initial Investigation

NCIS Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. and his team immediately took charge, examining the scene where Erin’s car was found two miles from the Marine base's back gate—a location that raised immediate suspicions.

Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. [01:38]: "Aaron Corwin's car was located approximately two miles from the back gate of the military base, and that's still significantly far from Joshua Tree National Park's entrance. But why is a car located close to base?"

During their initial sweep, investigators discovered a second set of tire tracks, indicating that Erin was not alone during her last known movements.

Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. [02:18]: "Another vehicle seemed to indicate she didn't go wherever she went alone."

Life in Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms, a remote desert city over 100 miles from Los Angeles, presented a unique backdrop for the investigation. The city, once bustling with gold miners in the 1800s, now felt more like a vast, empty expanse with minimal amenities.

Natalie Morales [06:21]: "Twentynine Palms, where Erin was last seen, is a remote desert city over 100 miles outside of LA. And it could not be more different."

The Marine Corps training base, encompassing over 1,000 square miles, was a central hub attracting Marines and their families from across the country, creating a transient yet tightly-knit community.

Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. [08:38]: "Base like this, you're gonna go to the same movie theater, you're gonna go to the same watering hole."

Social Circles and Relationships

Erin Corwin’s life in Twentynine Palms revolved around the Marine base, where she formed friendships with fellow Marine spouses, including Nicole and Chris Lee. Despite the supportive environment, Erin struggled with loneliness and sought solace in friendships outside her immediate circle.

Natalie Morales [12:30]: "When Erin felt lonely in the close-knit crowd, she'd call back home. It was a big adjustment to live away from home and in such close proximity to other young military couples."

Erin’s marriage to John Corwin faced strains shortly after his return from deployment. The couple grappled with the challenges of young marriage, the aftermath of a miscarriage, and John’s growing emotional distance.

Erin Corwin's Mother, Lore [23:57]: "I think that's kind of when things kind of started spiraling."

Key Leads and Findings

As the investigation progressed, NCIS Analyst Ashley de Chalfin highlighted the critical discovery of tire tracks leading away from Erin’s car, ending at a desolate asphalt road. This led investigators to identify a Jeep involved, linked to Chris Lee, Erin’s neighbor and husband of Nicole Lee.

NCIS Analyst Ashley de Chalfin [25:18]: "From that location, where that vehicle was parked and if anybody else was there."

Further probing into Erin’s digital footprint revealed significant text messages with her close friend Jessica (Jesse) Trenton, indicating plans to meet Chris Lee in Joshua Tree National Park.

Paul LaRosa [29:53]: "Christopher Lee was a Marine. That was the next door neighbor of Aaron Corwin at the time. And there were some text messages that involved him and Aaron Corwin."

Critical Insights

Erin’s descent into the turbulent social life of the Marine base, coupled with personal losses and marital issues, painted a picture of a young woman struggling to find her place. Her deep involvement in community events, babysitting for neighbors, and yearning for a family mirrored her inability to escape the mounting pressures and emotional turmoil.

Erin Corwin's Mother, Lore [20:13]: "She was very tenderhearted, very attentive to people like the younger kids at the barn and at church."

The investigation took a pivotal turn when Special Agent Sean Nash from the NCIS Tennessee office unearthed crucial information from Erin’s friend, Jesse, uncovering the connection to Chris Lee.

Special Agent Sean Nash (Paul LaRosa) [27:53]: "Jessica was very concerned about her friend Aaron and was upset. So she was very cooperative and helped us in any way that we needed."

Conclusion and Next Steps

The episode concludes with unanswered questions surrounding Erin’s motives and the nature of her relationship with Chris Lee. The NCIS team remains focused on unraveling the mystery behind Erin's disappearance, setting the stage for deeper investigation in subsequent episodes.

Natalie Morales [30:51]: "About it, you know, because she was a secret. So I could tell her my secrets."

Notable Quotes

• Natalie Morales [01:05]: "The car Erin Corwin was driving the day she went missing."
• Special Agent Clifton Randolph Jr. [01:38]: "But why is a car located close to base?"
• NCIS Analyst Ashley de Chalfin [25:18]: "From that location, where that vehicle was parked and if anybody else was there."
• Erin Corwin's Mother, Lore [23:57]: "I think that's kind of when things kind of started spiraling."
• Paul LaRosa [29:53]: "Christopher Lee was a Marine... some text messages involved him and Aaron Corwin."
• Natalie Morales [30:51]: "Because she was a secret. So I could tell her my secrets."

Final Thoughts

"The Honeymoon is Over: 2" masterfully intertwines investigative journalism with dramatic storytelling, offering listeners a comprehensive look into a case filled with emotional depth and procedural complexities. As the NCIS team delves deeper, the layers of Erin Corwin's life and her interactions within the Marine community continue to unfold, promising further revelations in the quest for truth and justice.