The final results of Erin Corwin's autopsy could determine whether or not Marine veteran Christopher Lee is charged with murder in the death of Corwin's fetus.
Lee has already been arrested and charged with murdering Corwin, 19, who may have been pregnant with his child.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos told the Desert Sun an additional murder charge against Lee is possible if the autopsy can determine whether or not Corwin was actually pregnant, and how far along she was in her pregnancy.
Ramos said California law allows a murder charge to be filed in the death of an unborn baby just four to six weeks into the fetus's development.
Corwin's sister-in-law, DeeAnna Heavilin, was interviewed by the Desert Sun last month about Corwin's pregnancy:
"We don't know exactly how far along she is with this pregnancy. She only found out about the pregnancy two weeks before she went missing and a doctor hasn't confirmed a due date yet."
As Home Post previously reported, Corwin's body was discovered in an abandoned mine shaft on Aug. 16.
On June 28, Corwin had told her husband, Marine Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, she was heading to Joshua Tree National Park to scout photography locations.
Cpl. Corwin reported his wife missing the next day.
The couple lived in an apartment at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, next door to Christopher Lee and his wife Nichole.
Lee was in an Anchorage courtroom Thursday morning, where he waived his rights against extradition to California to stand trial for Corwin's murder.
Deputy DA Clint Campion of Anchorage told KTUU-TV he expects Lee to be transferred to California within a week:
"I would say (in) the next couple of days. The judge set a hearing for Sept. 8 to make sure he's actually gone."
