posted 12-10-2009 01:29 PM            

Suspect says he took Redondo Beach waitress's body to S.B. Mountains, affidavit states

06:58 PM PST on Monday, December 7, 2009

By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise

The man accused of strangling a popular young waitress and dumping her in the San Bernardino Mountains told detectives he worked an entire shift at a beachside restaurant with the victim's dead body in the back of his SUV.

But Tony Lopez Perez, who briefly appeared in court Monday, said in records recently made public that he did not actually kill Cori Daye Desmond.

Rather, he claimed he found the 28-year-old's body lying next to his Dodge Durango, took it, went to work -- and then transported it 80 miles, according to a search warrant affidavit returned to San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Authorities allege Perez, 35, met Desmond as she was leaving a bar in Redondo Beach after 2 a.m. Feb. 15, and when she rebuffed his advances, he overpowered her, then disposed of her over a snowy mountainside in Running Springs.

Desmond, an outgoing Torrance resident whose funeral drew 700 people, had just left a bar where she once worked.

Perez's arrest in October came after an intense, high-profile investigation in which San Bernardino County sheriff's detectives interviewed more than 300 people and Los Angeles County leaders and Desmond's family combined to offer a $15,000 reward.

The affidavit filed Nov. 25 details the interview with Perez, a restaurant manager with no prior felony record, which ended with him being jailed and charged with murder.

It gives no explanation as to why, if Perez didn't kill Desmond, he would pick up her body without notifying police.

Tip Leads to suspect

Perez first became a focus of detectives in August, through a tip that stated he had been acting strangely in the days, weeks and months following Desmond's slaying.

He scrubbed his Durango clean on Feb. 16, and , took it to be detailed the next morning, officials said. The next weekend, he and his family visited the San Bernardino Mountains and, without explanation, Perez sought out a roadside memorial for Desmond.

But the most significant action occurred weeks later, when Perez suddenly traded in his white 2000 Durango for a white 2000 Ford Expedition.

Records indicated Perez received a traffic ticket in his former SUV in January. Using that citation, sheriff's detectives tracked the vehicle to its new owner in Los Angeles. That person allowed it to be processed for evidence.

They found traces of blood on the back floorboard as well as reddish-blonde hair matching Desmond's, according to the affidavit. As detectives awaited DNA testing, Perez agreed to be interviewed.

On Oct. 8, hours before he'd be arrested, Perez agreed to take a polygraph examination. He showed "counter measures" commonly used to disrupt results, including deep breathing and tightening of certain muscles, according to the affidavit.

"Perez admitted to having used his personal computer at his residence to 'Google' information related to the Desmond case and information on how to defeat a polygraph examination," sheriff's Detective Robert Warrick wrote.

While insisting he didn't kill Desmond, Perez then described putting the woman's body in a duffel bag after finding it outside his apartment -- around the block from the bar where she was last seen -- and placing it in the back of the Durango, according to the affidavit.

The next morning, Perez said he went to work at the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica, and after his shift, used black trash bags to wrap Desmond. He said he drove up Highway 330 and placed her body over the side of a turnout, Warrick wrote.

No prior relationship

Authorities have said the suspect and victim were apparent strangers and that Perez had "sexual" motives when they met on a street outside the bar Desmond was last seen leaving alone.

Deputy District Attorney Karen Khim declined to comment on Perez's statements. Andrew Haynal, his recently appointed attorney, did not return a call Monday.

Although no evidence has been revealed that suggests additional suspects, Desmond's father said he can't imagine Perez acting alone.

"My daughter was pretty tough," Mark Desmond said. "I can't see somebody confessing unless he's trying to cover up for somebody."

Desmond, a Torrance telecommunications installer, has appeared at each of Perez's court hearings, including Monday. He printed thousands of bumper stickers soliciting clues in the case, each featuring his daughter with a wide, toothy grin.

Late last month, he delivered a letter to San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops that thanked the detectives who often traveled to the South Bay, logging hundreds of miles and chasing countless dead ends before receiving the tip that led to Perez.

"The unexpected personal connection, commitment and compassion that they showed throughout the investigation tremendously helped me and my family persevere through this traumatic tragedy," Mark Desmond wrote. "It's not possible to ... describe my personal pain felt from this loss."

Perez will next appear in court for a pre-preliminary hearing on Jan. 26.

Reach Paul LaRocco at 951-368-9468 or plarocco@PE.com

posted 12-10-2009 05:04 PM         

I would post it but I am one of "The Few. The Proud, The Banned".