Brooke Wilberger's remains found; killer pleads guilty

The Oregonian ^ | September 21, 2009 | By Kimberly A.C. Wilson

[Bean Counter]

More than five years after she was abducted from Oregon State University and presumed killed, the remains of Brooke Wilberger have been found and her suspected killer has pleaded guilty.

Joel Patrick Courtney faced a possible death sentence when he went to trial next February in Benton County for aggravated murder in Wilberger's death. But today, after a change of venue to Marion County Circuit Court, Courtney, a 43-year-old native of unincorporated Washington County, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to prison for life with no possibility of release.

As a part of the plea agreement, Benton County District Attorney John M. Haroldson obtained clues that helped locate and recover Wilberger's remains. Authorities are withholding details of where -- and what -- they found until a 4 p.m. press conference in Corvallis.

Wilberger, 19, disappeared on May 24, 2004, while she was working a summer job at a Corvallis apartment house after completing her freshman year at Brigham Young University.

[Global2010]

If you are not familiar with the case, meaning not a PNW person and you came up with that conclusion....

Well then if I ever needed personal security detail I would hire you.

You nailed it.

[LucyJo]

This is the picture of him that I saw with the article.

It makes me so angry that someone like him is able to plead and assure himself the opportunity for a long life - even if it is in prison.

He ended her young life just as she had started out on her own, and he devastatingly and forever altered the lives on this earth of those who loved her.

When something like this happens, I always wish we could turn back time and stop it from happening. It is so heartbreaking.

My heartfelt prayers for her loved ones.

[CurlyQ]

I remember this case. I had a cousin who went to Oregon State at the time of this disapperance.

[LucyJo]

This story at the time of her disappearance:

Police Seek Clues in Brooke Wilberger Disappearance

When Brooke Wilberger disappeared a year ago from her sister's apartment complex in Corvallis, Oregon, someone who identified himself as "Brian" made a 911 call to report a green minivan being driven erratically. Police want whoever made that call to contact them again.

Police Capt. Ron Noble said the 911 call, made from a cellphone, was cut off before it was completed. He has asked the public to provide any information about the caller who reported seeing the 1997 green Dodge Caravan on May 24, 2004, the day Wilberger disappeared.

Noble said the police are not looking for the green van, but for the person who made the call. He said the police have connected a man to the minivan and he is one of two "persons of interest" in the case.

A student at Brigham Young University in Utah, Wilberger was visiting her sister in Oregon at an apartment complex her sister managed. She was cleaning exterior light fixtures at the apartment when she disappeared. The complex is located near Oregon State University.

[Bean Counter]

I cannot imagine the grief this young lady’s family has suffered for the past five years waiting for this scumbag to cut a deal. I cannot imagine our family going through something like this and it horrifies me that this is the best our legal system can do.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Good, I guess. There's a sort of conclusion for the Wilbergers’ ordeal and a commitment to remove one murderous thug from society for good.

It would be satisfying to see this guy snuffed. I have turned against capital punishment in general, as I have become convinced people have been executed for crimes they did not commit. That said, I'm reasonably certain this is not one of those cases.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Wilberger fought back against murderer; remains found over weekend

Brooke Wilberger lost her life when she fought back after being sexually assaulted in an isolated area of the Coast Range, officials said at a news conference in Corvallis Monday afternoon.

Benton County officials announced earlier in the day that they had recovered the remains of Veneta resident Brooke Wilberger, who disappeared in 2004.

Meanwhile, suspect Joel Courtney pleaded guilty today in Marion County Circuit Court to a charge of aggravated murder in connection with Wilberger’s death. Courtney was sentenced to prison for life without the possiblity of parole, officials said.

As part of Courtney’s plea agreement, Benton County prosecutors learned information that allowed investigators to recover Wilberger’s remains.

Wilberger was 19 when she vanished five years ago from a parking lot outside a Corvallis apartment complex. She was a Brigham Young University student and 2003 graduate of Elmira High School.

Officials would not specify where in the Coast Range Wilberger’s remains were found, or how far from town. The remains were located within Benton County, they said.

Officials received the information from Courtney’s attorneys on Friday, and her remains were discovered Saturday morning. Investigators also found Wilberger’s clothes, jewelry and keys.

The state medical examiner’s office confirmed her identity via dental records.

Officials said that Courtney had a FedEx envelope in his hand and represented himself as a deliveryman when he confronted Wilberger and forced her into his van by knifepoint. He kept her isolated in the woods for about 24 hours, and sexually assaulted her the next morning, they said. She fought back, and was bludgeoned to death in the head.

“It’s a bittersweet day because we can’t change the past but it’s an important day because we can say as a community that we can return your daughter to you, and we will never forget,” District Attorney John Haroldson told the Wilbergers.

Wilberger’s mother, Cami Wilberger, said the family is grateful to law enforcement officials.

“It’s hard to understand, but we feel is gratitude, even for Mr. Courtney” for leading investigators to (our) daughter, Cami Wilberger said.

[LucyJo]

I know. I guess that is what goes through the minds of everyone who reads or hears about stories such as this one.

We imagine ourselves in the place of the loved ones, and imagine our child, or loved one, in the place of the victim.

The thought of such evil is chilling. It’s difficult for decent people to understand how anyone could actually do such a thing to another human being.

[Global2010]

Low Blood Sugar.

[Global2010]

My eyes are swelling and dripping as we have a few more unsolved murders in the off timber roads....

They just opened the cases back up a few months ago.

Been 7 yrs or more for these women.

Lotsa folklore/speculation.

Two girls (aged approx) 14/15 went home from a Adult males appt.(out and about folks did not know) and they ended up strangled with there purses just a quick North of us in the Beverly Beach area.

I have prayed so hard that divine intervention would bravo those in the know to go after the perp.

[Global2010]

LucyJo it does not touch cha so much in the blurb of everyday news chat.

But when you live in an area of the non domestic murder per of 1 or 2 every so many years it hurts to the deep soul.

We all get along but to know one of us or a person who passes through is a possible serial killer? Not in our lil town. Chilling.

As the windows stay open and a gentle fall breezes through, still there is a few woman who deserve their killer come to light.

Oh and yes we lock down at night and I just dont mean the windows.

[cubreporter]

I just can’t understand why everything is upside down and backwards. Do the crime do the time or worse. It’s so absolutely sinful

[LucyJo]

Several years ago my husband was talking with a man who knew the killers of a couple of women who worked in a small rural convenience store.

The women were cooking breakfast foods when the killers came to the door early that morning before time for them to open. They decided to open the door at the urging of the killers, because - although they didn’t know them - they knew who they were because they worked for a familiar logging company and bought fuel, etc., at the store. They would have been opening the doors in another 30 minutes, or so, anyway, and their regular customers would be there soon.

The killers robbed the store and killed the clerks, one of whom was a young married girl with a toddler. I knew her mother when she was a girl.

The man who knew the killers told my husband that one of the men had often made the comment that he wanted “to know what it felt like to kill somebody”. He wanted to watch them die. He got his wish.

I know a few people who still leave their windows open at certain times of the year, and who don’t always lock their vehicles and doors. I’m not one of those people. Drugs have made animals out of too many people to take that chance anymore.

[cherry]

the downside of the DP is that the death (when they get around to it) is quick and simple....no suffering....

what does a monster deserve for attacking and raping and killing?....he kept Brooke in his van for a day before he killed her.....what does this monster deserve?....

a lot more than a quick death thats for sure.....

but its unChristian to think of what we would like to do to him.....

when we get to heaven, I guess we'll know why this stuff goes on.....but right now, its so hard to understand ....

[Global2010]

As painful as this is close to home and the 2 Freepers who shared their own close to home pain of sensless murders.

I ask you this.

What are the teachings of our Catholic faith in times such as this.

Pretty common guess in most areas of daily living.

How can you in not a long answer but short answer what the teachings are in this instance.

Please do not ply my with weeks of study and links just give a simplistic answer of the teachings. Thanks.

[Global2010]

Lucy Jo this rarely happens in our part of the USA.

That is what cuts so damn deep.

I have never ever forgot about this gal in my prayers or the two others.

[Global2010]

Well I think you pegged it right there.

Meth/Coke/Crank has taken the soul out of so many humans.

I still state if a Zombie comes in I will shoot the darn thing.

[Global2010]

I did not read reports that he actually kept her for a time.

Not that it matters, but he was suppose to be in court here on the coast.

He called in sick/drunk out of it to reschedule his Lincoln County hearing.

Where is this guy now?