A 60-year-old man has been charged with murder in the killing of his roommate whose body was allegedly buried in a shallow grave behind their Yucca Valley home—before the suspect traveled to Oregon and attempted to assume the victim's identity, authorities said.
Background
Cris Leroy Jones is accused of murdering 61-year-old Daniel Joslin in what investigators believe was a calculated act carried out sometime between late June and early July. The investigation began July 3 when Morongo Basin Sheriff's deputies responded to a missing persons report after Joslin's family and friends said they had not seen or been able to contact him for approximately 10 days. According to authorities, Joslin's last known contact with loved ones was June 26.
Investigators initially received information suggesting Joslin may have traveled to Oregon, but found no evidence confirming he had left California. The search took a dramatic turn on July 29 when detectives obtained a warrant for the residence Jones and Joslin shared in the 58000 block of Carlyle Drive in Yucca Valley—located in San Bernardino County.
During the search, authorities discovered human remains buried in a shallow grave in the backyard of the residence. The remains were positively identified as Daniel Joslin.
The Investigation
The discovery of Joslin's body prompted an intense manhunt for Jones, who had vanished from the property. Authorities soon learned he had traveled to Oregon—and was allegedly impersonating his dead roommate while driving Joslin's pickup truck.
According to a Facebook post from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, a deputy patrolling a campsite near Harriet Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest on July 30 made contact with a man who identified himself as Daniel Joslin. The man claimed to be the registered owner of a nearby black Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The deputy checked the vehicle's registration and license plate, which matched the name provided by the camper. However, records checks revealed that Joslin had recently been reported missing in California. Deputies then connected dots between the homicide investigation in Yucca Valley and the person at the campsite—identifying him as Cris Jones.
Working together, authorities in California and Oregon determined that Jones "had been using Daniel Joslin's identity and was driving Joslin's pickup truck." On Aug. 2, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Air Unit located Jones in the forest near Harriet Lake and directed SWAT deputies to his location. Jones complied with commands and was taken into custody without incident.
A knife and sheath recovered from Jones' front pants pocket were seized as evidence. Authorities have not disclosed whether the items are connected to Joslin's death. Jones has been charged with one count of murder and remains in custody at the Clackamas County Jail pending extradition to California.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Joslin, 61, was reported missing July 3 after loved ones hadn't heard from him since June 26
- Human remains were found buried in a shallow grave in the backyard of his Yucca Valley home on July 29
- Cris Leroy Jones allegedly impersonated Joslin while driving his pickup truck in Oregon
- Jones was arrested Aug. 2 near Harriet Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest, more than 700 miles from the crime scene
- He has been charged with one count of murder and awaits extradition to California
What's Next
Jones is expected to face extradition proceedings to return to California, where he will be arraigned on the murder charge. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Joslin's death as prosecutors prepare their case.