Christina Downer Death: Two, including boyfriend, arrested nearly a year after ‘Saturday Night Live’ writer Jimmy Fowlie’s sister vanished; here’s what we know about the motive

Fresh updates have emerged in the case of Christina Downer, the sister of "Saturday Night Live" writer Jimmy Fowlie, nearly a year after her disappearance. Fowlie had said in April 2026 that she was found dead. Now, NBC4 has reported that two people were arrested in connection with her murder.

Christina’s boyfriend was among the two people arrested on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed on Friday (October 30, 2026), according to NBC4 and PEOPLE. The two suspects were identified as Delorean Bijon Brandon and Kaylee Nicole Markowski.

According to NBC4, Brandon was arrested on Friday on Garvanza Avenue near Figueroa Street in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. On the other hand, Markowski was arrested in Tarzana, the LAPD said.


The two were reportedly held on $2 million bail each, and they also face a murder charge. The LAPD did not provide extensive details linked to the arrest, saying that its detectives believe that these two were responsible for Christina’s murder and then disposed of her body and concealed the crime. Investigators have not released a motive or additional details surrounding the arrest.

The development comes six months after Christina was found dead. “The LAPD has informed our family that Christina is no longer alive, and the case has officially transitioned from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” Fowlie had said in a post on Instagram in April 2026.

“Our prayers for her to be found safely have transformed into prayers for the truth to be revealed and for those responsible to be held accountable,” he added.

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How did the incident come to light?

Christina was first reported missing on December 18, 2025, after her ex-husband requested a welfare check after not hearing from her for an extended period of time.

The 38-year-old was contacted in late November 2025, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Initially, Brandon claimed that she had moved out of their shared residence. He had told the LAPD that she left behind all her belongings, including her car and dog.


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The case was taken over by homicide detectives when Christina’s cellphone washed ashore at Santa Monica Beach, according to the LAPD. They took a closer look at the incident.

Speaking to NBC4, detectives of the LAPD said that detectives from its Robbery-Homicide Division, assisted by K-9 units, are searching for evidence related to Downer's disappearance. The division takes care of some of the most complex and high-profile investigations of the department.