Delorean Bijon Brandon Faces Murder Charge in Disappearance of SNL Writer's Sister
The 41-year-old man was arrested with his girlfriend after a year-long investigation into the death of Christina Downer, whose body has not been recovered.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
Delorean Bijon Brandon, 41, was charged with murder on Monday in connection with the death of Christina Downer, a 38-year-old woman whose body remains missing. Brandon, a Los Angeles resident, is the alleged boyfriend of the victim. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed a single count of murder based on a criminal complaint stating the crime occurred around September 19, 2025.
Downer was the sister of Jimmy Fowlie, a former writer for Saturday Night Live. Her ex-husband requested a welfare check on December 18, 2025, after failing to hear from her for an extended period. At that time, Brandon told police that Downer had moved out of their shared home several months prior, leaving behind her vehicle and her dog. The case remained a missing person investigation until her cellphone washed up on Santa Monica Beach, prompting the Robbery-Homicide Division to take over the case.
Brandon was arrested last Thursday alongside Kaylee Markowski, 34, of Los Angeles. The District Attorney's Office identified Markowski as Brandon's girlfriend and charged her with one felony count of being an accessory after the fact. Prosecutors allege she helped dispose of the victim's body. If convicted as charged, Brandon faces a potential life prison sentence, while Markowski could serve up to three years in county jail.
The criminal complaint notes that Brandon has prior convictions. In 2008, he was convicted of robbery and attempted robbery. In 2015, he was convicted of criminal threats. He also faces two separate felony counts for injuring a spouse involving a different victim in 2022.
Detectives searched a property in Joshua Tree last month in connection with the disappearance. According to NBC4, the search was led to an Airbnb location. On April 29, Fowlie posted on Instagram that LAPD officials informed the family that Downer was no longer alive. He stated that the case had transitioned from a missing person inquiry to a homicide investigation. Fowlie said he wanted to amplify her story because he believed those responsible were hoping to erase her existence.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement that the family and friends have dealt with uncertainty for more than a year. He vowed that the prosecution would hold both defendants accountable for their actions. Brandon and Markowski were set to be arraigned in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Monday.
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division West Bureau Section is accepting tips at 213-382-9470. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to 877-527-3247. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
