When Noel Cornelius disappeared from his home in Victorville, California on November 25, 2005, police, along with his family, hoped for his safe return. Although police found a body in the unincorporated Apple Valley on November 27, it was burned beyond recognition and took nearly three years to be identified as Noel. Investigation Discovery’s “The Night That Didn’t End: John Doe 57” chronicles the horrific murder and shows how the case cooled before determined investigators found closure in 2017. If this case interests you and you want to know where the present authors are, we have what you need.
How did Noel Cornelius die?
Noel Cornelius, 23, resided in Victorville, California, and had a good reputation in society. He was close to his family and, at the time of his murder, was married to Rebekah Jackman. Described as a generous and generous individual, Noel was a wonderful human being, and his shocking passing is saddened to this day. Although Noel disappeared on November 25, 2005, his disappearance was not reported until months later. Incidentally, on November 27, two days after Noel disappeared, authorities found a deceased body in the desert of unincorporated Apple Valley, California. However, cops mentioned that the body was burned beyond recognition and filed as John Doe.
Meanwhile, Noel’s family grew increasingly concerned about his disappearance but chose not to immediately involve the police. Finally, on July 12, 2006, about eight months after Noel disappeared, his stepmother, Joy Roles, reported him missing. Unfortunately, although Noel’s body was found at that time, the police were unable to identify him. So, for nearly two years, authorities combed nearby areas in search of the missing man, but to no avail. Eventually, in June 2008, Noel’s badly burned body was identified and the case was dismissed as a homicide. Additionally, an autopsy report claimed that the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, resulting in his death.
Who Killed Noel Cornelius?
With Noel’s body identified more than two years after his murder, the police had absolutely no leads to follow. Although detectives attempted to create a timeline by arranging several interviews with acquaintances of the victim, they were unable to agree on a suspect or person of interest. So, without any clues to help the investigation, the case remained without any progress and went cold. In 2012, cold case detectives reopened the case and discovered that the night of his murder, Noel was at a party with his stepbrothers Malachi and Isaac Dawson and their friend Michael Marshall.
The show mentions that a girl named Jessica, who was at the party, showed up to tell authorities how Noel was alone with Isaac, Malachi, and Michael after he left. Officers then caught up with Isaac Dawson and attempted to match his DNA to that found at the crime scene. Although the samples don’t match, Isaac mentioned that he left the party leaving Noel with Malachi and Michael. According to the show, when Isaac returned, he couldn’t find Noel but noticed blood inside the house. The police then suspected Malachi and Michael of having something to do with Noel’s murder and obtained a DNA warrant. Once their two DNA samples matched those found at the crime scene, authorities arrested them and charged them with Noel’s murder.
Where are Malachi Dawson and Michael Marshall now?
Michael Marshall agreed to testify against Malachi and decided to plead guilty as an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to three years in county jail in 2018. The same year, Malachi Dawson pleaded guilty to intentional homicide and was sentenced to an 11-year prison term. So, at present, Malachi remains incarcerated at the Sierra Conservation Center in Tuolumne County, California, and will be eligible for parole in 2023. On the other hand, although the show mentions that Michael Marshall was Released from prison, he now prefers a life of privacy and prefers to stay under the radar.
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