The story so far
- Two Held on Suspicion of Murdering SNL Writer's Sister8 sources
- Boyfriend Charged in Alleged Murder of Missing 'SNL' Writer's SisterYou are hereLatest
Updated 22m ago · Crime
Boyfriend Charged in Alleged Murder of Missing 'SNL' Writer's Sister
Prosecutors charged Delorean Bijon Brandon with murdering his girlfriend, Christina Downer, sister of SNL writer Jimmy Fowlie. Her body has not been found.
- Sept. 19, 2025, is roughly when prosecutors allege Downer was killed.
- Kaylee Markowski is charged with accessory after the fact.
- $2 million bail was set for each defendant after arrests last week.
- Brandon also faces two counts of injuring his wife in 2022.
Why it matters: Restraining-order filings describe alleged threats, blackmail and harassment involving Markowski. Both Brandon and Downer had filed petitions against her.
- Brandon dropped his own restraining-order hearing one day before the alleged killing.
- The complaint lists prior Brandon convictions for robbery and criminal threats.
How 8 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean
8 sources · 8 articles · 62% Center coverage
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center frames it as a straightforward charging update, with Fowlie's public pleas for answers as a central thread.
USA Today2hBoyfriend of 'SNL' writer's missing sister charged with murderPennLive2hMan charged with murdering ‘Saturday Night Live’ writer’s sister: ‘Profound loss’TMZ40mMan Accused of Killing 'SNL' Writer's Sister Has Criminal History Dating Back DecadesWFLA News Channel 84hBoyfriend charged with killing missing sister of 'SNL' writerWKBN Youngstown4hBoyfriend charged with killing missing sister of 'SNL' writer
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left focuses on the investigative trail, including court records of alleged threats and Downer's phone washing ashore.
Los Angeles Times5hNew details emerge in the alleged murder of 'SNL' writer's sister Christina DownerThe Independent4hBoyfriend charged with murder after ex-'SNL' writer's missing sister's phone washes ashoreCleveland.com2hMan charged with murdering ‘Saturday Night Live’ writer’s sister: ‘Profound loss’
What’s next: Arraignment is set for Dec. 29. Brandon faces life in prison if convicted.
- Markowski faces up to three years in county jail if convicted.
- Will investigators recover Downer's body?
- What, if anything, did detectives find at the Joshua Tree Airbnb?
- Who is the wife named in the 2022 assault counts?
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