Brian Karl Brimager, Murder, California 2011

LOS ANGELES, California – A retired Marine has been charged with a gruesome crime, accused of murdering his girlfriend, dismembering her body, and dumping her remains in the Panamanian jungle.

Brian Karl Brimager, 37, was arraigned in federal court in San Diego on charges of first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to a federal officer.

According to the indictment, Brimager and his girlfriend, Yvonne Baldelli, moved to Bocas del Toro, Panama in September 2011. Almost immediately, Brimager began emailing another girlfriend, the mother of his young daughter, and discussing plans to move back to California to live with her and help raise their daughter.

However, the indictment alleges that Brimager began physically abusing Baldelli, causing injuries that included bruising around her eyes and on her arms. On November 26, 2011, Brimager allegedly murdered Baldelli, dismembered her body, and disposed of her body parts in a remote jungle area on Isla Carenero.

Following her murder, Brimager allegedly engaged in a scheme to cover up the crime, including destroying evidence, giving false information to law enforcement, and sending a series of emails purportedly from Baldelli to make it appear that she was still alive.

The indictment also alleges that Brimager created a cover story to explain Baldelli’s whereabouts and attempted to substantiate his story by withdrawing money from her bank accounts and making another withdrawal when he traveled through Costa Rica on his way back to the United States.

Baldelli’s skeletal remains were not found in the jungle until almost two years after her murder.

The indictment charges Brimager with foreign murder of a United States national, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to a federal officer. If convicted, Brimager faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death, a $250,000 fine, and restitution.

Brimager has been in U.S. custody since June 2013 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Case Number: 13CR2381-JM

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