Search for Corwin continues, investigation not classified as criminal

Three weeks after she disappeared, the search for an Oak Ridge woman living in southern California continues, but it has not been classified as a criminal investigation, authorities said Friday.

No suspects or “persons of interest” have been identified in the search for Erin Corwin, who is 20 and three months pregnant, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said. And no information is being released about possible witnesses, witness statements, or investigative techniques used during the search, the department said.

The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, California, has reported that the Naval Criminal Investigative Services is assisting in the search by helping with the military aspects of the investigation. The newspaper said four search warrants have been served, and they have been used to search two vehicles, including Corwin’s car, and two apartments on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, where Corwin lives with her husband, Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, who is also from Oak Ridge.

Authorities have said Corwin’s disappearance is suspicious and does not appear to be voluntary. So far, though, they have not announced finding any signs of her.

Corwin was last seen leaving her home on her way to Joshua Tree National Park, which is south of Twentynine Palms, at about 7 a.m. Saturday, June 28. Jonathan Corwin reported her missing the next day, Sunday, June 29. Corwin’s car, a blue 2013 Toyota Corolla, was found the next day, on Monday, near a back entrance to the base.

Corwin was reported to have been going to the park to look for places for her and her mother, Lore Heavilin of Oak Ridge, to take photos during Lore’s visit to California to celebrate Erin’s birthday on July 15. They were also planning a trip to San Diego to visit Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.

On Friday, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said specialized investigators were in Twentynine Palms and in and around Joshua Tree National Park throughout the week, searching and flying over remote areas. The ground search was scheduled to resume this weekend, the department said.

The search has, at times, used more than 60 personnel, and they’ve covered more than 200 square miles of desert concentrated around Joshua Tree National Park. Searchers have included teams from the San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Kern County sheriff’s departments. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s air support has also assisted in the search.