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.
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.