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Crime & Safety

Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Killgore Death

Jessica Lynn Lopez, 25, pleaded not guilty in a Vista courtroom today to the murder of Brittany Killgore, whose body was found Tuesday near Murrieta.

A woman charged with the murder of 22-year-old Brittany Killgore, pleaded not guilty today.

During a brief court hearing in Vista, Jessica Lynn Lopez, 25, pleaded not guilty to who went missing from Fallbrook Friday.

Killgore's body was found alongside Borel Road near Buck Road about a mile north of Lake Skinner on Tuesday, a few hours after Lopez was taken into custody.

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San Diego County sheriff's said information gleaned from Lopez's arrest led authorities to the remote spot, although neither he nor prosecutors would elaborate.   

San Diego Superior Court Judge Sim von Kalinowski set the defendant's bail at $3 million. Lopez, who faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted, is due back
in court May 2 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her
to stand trial.   

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During a news conference this morning, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
announced that but declined to provide
details regarding the defendant's alleged involvement in Killgore's
disappearance and death.   

At Lopez's arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza said she was found in a Rosecrans Street motel room suffering from self-inflicted wounds, along with a suicide note.   

He would not reveal how Killgore died, saying only that her death was the result of "homicidal violence.''   

According to investigators, Killgore vanished after meeting with Staff Sgt. Louis Ray Perez. The 45-year-old Camp Pendleton-based Marine was subsequently arrested on weapon-theft charges, but also is being "actively investigated'' in connection with the Killgore case, Fraser said.   

Perez, a 16-year military veteran assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to charges of possession of stolen property and illegal possession of an assault rifle.   

Bail was kept high—$500,000—with the judge agreeing that Perez was a flight risk. The serviceman is due back in court for a readiness conference April 26 and a preliminary hearing on May 17.   

Perez, who faces up to three years and eight months behind bars if convicted on the weapons charges, remains a "person of interest'' in Killgore's death, and additional charges are possible, Dumanis said.

"Our hearts go out to Brittany's husband, Cory, as well as her family and friends, who are dealing with this sudden loss,'' she said. "This case has shaken many in San Diego County and many in the military community at Camp Pendleton.''   

The county's top prosecutor contended that news coverage of the high-profile case had been rife with misinformation, though she would not provide examples of the purported distortions.   

While making a brief public statement this afternoon, Killgore's father, Darryl Wrest, decried what he characterized as slurs on his late daughter's name.

"Brittany was a victim,'' Wrest said outside the Kearny Mesa headquarters of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "She did nothing wrong. There have been stories and comments made from people who do not know my daughter and have their own agendas or opinions.''   

Wrest did not specify what statements he had found troubling, though he said they had "absolutely no basis in fact.''

"Please leave my daughter in peace,'' he said in an emotion-choked voice. "She does not deserve to be a victim of lies and innuendo any more than she deserved to be murdered. We are devastated and ask to be left alone to grieve at this time. Be assured, we will fight for Brittany to ensure justice is served for her.''   

Authorities have not said how Lopez knew Killgore. Lopez and Perez reportedly once lived in the same Fallbrook apartment, about a half-mile from the rental residence Killgore shared with her husband.   

A neighbor said Lopez and a female roommate live in same apartment she once shared with Perez, and he was often seen there.   

The Lopez family released a statement through an attorney Wednesday. "We pray for the family of Brittany Killgore and ask that the Lord comfort them during their time of grief and anguish. We ask that you pray for all those impacted by this tragic situation, including our family,'' the statement said.   

Killgore's grandmother, Cheryl Coble of Farmington, Mo., that the victim's mother notified San Diego law enforcement about
her daughter's disappearance after receiving a call from a stranger who found
Killgore's cell phone in the downtown Gaslamp District.

Killgore had planned to go on a dinner cruise that evening, presumably with Lopez and Perez, the grandmother told the newspaper.

While addressing news crews this afternoon, Killgore's father lauded his late daughter and lamented her death.

"I am here to speak for Brittany, as her voice was taken from her,'' Wrest said. "Brittany was a beautiful, kind, caring young woman trying to find her way in this world. Family and friends love and miss Brittany beyond words."

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