Digest

This podcast delves into two separate cases, each involving a missing person and a subsequent investigation. The first case focuses on the disappearance of Aaron Corwin, a young wife of a Marine who vanished from a remote base near Joshua Tree National Park. The military and NCIS are alerted, leading to an investigation into her disappearance. The second case centers around the death of Alex Penic, a young woman found dead in her apartment. Her boyfriend, Shane Anderson, and a nurse practitioner, Matthew Eckert, are involved in the investigation. The police initially believe Alex took her own life, but inconsistencies in Matthew's story lead them to suspect foul play. The podcast explores the relationships between the individuals involved, their pasts, and the evidence that emerges during the investigations. The episode highlights the challenges faced by the detectives as they piece together the events leading up to the disappearances and deaths, and the emotional toll these cases take on the families involved.

Outlines

00:00:27

The Disappearance of Aaron Corwin and the Death of Alex Penic

The episode begins with Lore Hevelyn receiving a call from California about her daughter Aaron Corwin's disappearance. Aaron, a young wife of a Marine, had moved to the California desert to a remote base near Joshua Tree National Park. The military and NCIS are alerted, leading to an investigation into her disappearance. The episode then shifts to the story of Alex Penic, a young woman found dead in her apartment. Her boyfriend, Shane Anderson, and a nurse practitioner, Matthew Eckert, are involved in the investigation. The police initially believe Alex took her own life, but inconsistencies in Matthew's story lead them to suspect foul play.

00:00:56

Shane Anderson's Account and Alex's Past

The episode focuses on Shane Anderson's account of his relationship with Alex. He paints a picture of a happy and loving couple, contradicting Matthew's claims of a tumultuous relationship. The police investigate inconsistencies in Shane's story, including his involvement in a physical altercation with Matthew at a bar. The episode delves into Alex's past, revealing a history of depression and addiction. Her parents share details of a suicide attempt in 2016 and her subsequent recovery. The episode also explores Alex's relationship with Matthew, revealing a past affair and his financial support for her.

00:13:25

The Lobby Security Footage and Matthew's Confession

The episode focuses on the analysis of security footage from Alex's apartment building. The footage reveals a heated exchange between Alex and Matthew in the lobby shortly before her death. The detectives question Matthew about the altercation, but he denies any problems. Matthew initially maintains his innocence, claiming Alex took her own life. However, after hours of questioning, he changes his story, admitting to moving the gun and placing it on Alex's body. The detectives discover a piece of metal from the bathroom door lock under Alex's head, suggesting the door was forced open before she was shot.

00:31:43

Matthew's Trial and Conviction

Matthew Ecker's trial begins, with the detectives presenting their case for murder. They believe Matthew's motive was to silence Alex after she threatened to expose their affair to his wife. However, the defense argues for suicide, pointing to Alex's history of depression and the presence of gunshot residue on her hand. The jury finds Matthew guilty of second-degree murder. Alex's family expresses relief but acknowledges the loss of their daughter. Matthew's family is devastated and appeals for leniency. The judge sentences Matthew to 30 years in prison.

00:41:51

The Aftermath and Alex's Legacy

The episode concludes with the aftermath of the trial. Alex's family grapples with their loss and seeks answers from Matthew. They honor Alex's memory through her love for animals and by sharing stories of her life. Matthew's family struggles with the consequences of his actions and the loss of contact with their grandchildren.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the initial circumstances surrounding Aaron Corwin's disappearance?

  Aaron Corwin, a young wife of a Marine, had moved to the California desert to a remote base near Joshua Tree National Park. Her mother, Lore Hevelyn, received a call from California informing her that Aaron was missing.

• What inconsistencies in Matthew Eckert's story led the detectives to suspect foul play in Alex Penic's death?

  The detectives found inconsistencies in Matthew's story, including the position of Alex's body, the dry sink despite his claim of washing his hands, and his initial denial of any problems with Alex.

• What evidence did the detectives discover that suggested the bathroom door was forced open before Alex was shot?

  The detectives found a piece of metal from the bathroom door lock under Alex's head, indicating that the door was forced open while Alex was still alive.

• What was the prosecution's theory for Matthew Eckert's motive in killing Alex Penic?

  The prosecution believed that Matthew's motive was to silence Alex after she threatened to expose their affair to his wife.

• What were the key arguments presented by the defense in Matthew Eckert's trial?

  The defense argued that Alex took her own life, citing her history of depression, the presence of gunshot residue on her hand, and the lack of blood splatter on Matthew.

• What was the outcome of Matthew Eckert's trial and sentencing?

  The jury found Matthew guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

• How did Alex Penic's family choose to honor her memory?

  Alex's family honored her memory by caring for animals, including a flock of chickens, and by sharing stories of her life with her friends.

• What are the ongoing challenges faced by Matthew Eckert's family?

  Matthew's family is struggling with the consequences of his actions, including the loss of contact with their grandchildren. They are also seeking answers to the questions surrounding Alex's death.

Show Notes