Ryann Bunnell Crow -- Found Deceased 5/26/10

Jesse Crow Charged with Killing Missing Newlywed Wife Ryann Bunnell Crow

Posted by Carlin DeGuerin Miller
February 17, 2010 12:09 PM





SALINAS, Calif. (CBS) Two weeks after California newlywed Ryann Bunnell Crow went missing, her husband, Jesse Crow, has been arrested and charged with her murder, according to Salinas police.

Ryann Crow’s family reported the 23-year-old missing on Feb. 2 when she didn't show up for work at a local flower shop in Salinas, Calif. about 60 miles south of San Jose. The general manager told CBS affiliate KION that Ryann Crow was a great employee and described her as a sweetheart.

Two searches for Ryann on Feb. 6th and the 13th in the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge area, the last place where police were able to trace a signal from her phone, yielded few leads.

Ryann Crow’s first husband, Cody May, told KION that he spoke to her about a month ago. She told him she was going through a messy split with her husband Jesse Crow.

Jesse Crow had avoided all organized searches for his wife, as well as the media spotlight.

Ryann's family told KION that police told them around 9pm Tuesday that Jesse Crow was going to be arrested on suspicion of murder.

Ryann Crow's mother, Pamela Pipitone, told KION that the family hadn’t had much time to get to know her daughter's new husband.

"They had a world-wind relationship," Pipitone said. "She met him in July, and kind of got swept off her feet and then they got married in August, so we really haven't known him that long."

Salinas police did not release any information about how they came to charge Jesse Crow with murder or whether they have found Ryann's body.

Lalo Villegas, public information officer for the Salinas police, said Jesse Crow would likely be arraigned on the murder charge in the next few days.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/17/crimesider/entry6216617.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentAux

Ryann Bunnell Crow May have been Pregnant

Updated: Feb 17, 2010 8:22 PM EST

SALINAS, Calif- New details are emerging Wednesday afternoon after Ryann Bunnell Crow's husband, Jesse Crow, was arrested for her murder.

Those close to the investigation say that Ryann had recently told relatives that she thought she was pregnant. Police won't know if that is the case until her body is recovered.

Police still have not found the body of 23 year-old Ryann Bunnell Crow, but they say that there is enough evidence to charge her husband, Jesse Crow, with murder.

Police are telling Central Coast News that they do have a motive in the murder of Ryann Bunnell Crow. At this time they will not release what they believe was motive for Jesse Crow to allegedly murder his wife.

"We felt that there was sufficient evidence to show that harm had come to her, that she is deceased, and that Jesse is responsible, " said Manny Perrien, Salinas Deputy Chief.

Jesse Crow's alleged girlfriend, Summer Donovan, has also been named as a person of interest in the case, police say. Donovan was with Crow when he was arrested Tuesday night in Pacific Grove.

For now, the case of missing Salinas Woman, Ryann Bunnell Crow has been shrouded in questions and sketchy details about what involvement police thought her husband, Jesse Crow, had in her disappearance.

"I don't think we ever have said that he wasn't a suspect. We've said he was 100% cooperative,"said Perrien.

Police say that they would not name Crow has a suspect to keep the suspicion and pressure to run off Crow. However, with the case gaining local and national media attention, police say that they had to make their move.

Police say that they will ask the Sheriff's Department Urban Search and Rescue Team to help in the search for the body of Ryann Bunnell Crow.

Salinas police will hold a press conference on the Crow case at 2 p.m. Thursday. Central Coast News will work to bring you live streaming video of the conference.

http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=12001107

Salinas attorney urges public to keep open mind; deputies step up search for Crow's remains

BY KIMBER SOLANA AND SUNITA VIJAYAN
February 19, 2010

While Salinas law enforcement officials share new details about the homicide case of Ryann Bunnell Crow, her husband's defense attorney has one plea to the public — keep an open mind.

"It's difficult when so much information has been released to the public," said Salinas attorney Thomas Worthington, who is representing Jesse John Crow. "It makes it difficult for prospective jurors to presume innocence."

Crow was arrested Tuesday night in Pacific Grove and is accused of killing his 23-year-old wife, Ryann Bunnell Crow, who was reported missing more than two weeks ago. Her remains have not been found.

Worthington raised his concerns about the high-profile case after Salinas police Chief Louis Fetherolf and Monterey County Sheriff Mike Kanalakis held a press conference Thursday at City Hall.

"I don't even know what charges, if any, will be filed against my client," Worthington said.

However, he said he has no "immediate plans" to file for a change of venue.

"In my 40 years working in Monterey County, I know we have good, hard-working, honest people who do their best to be fair," he said. "All we can do is hope they keep an open mind."

Salinas police submitted a two-inch thick report Thursday morning to the county District Attorney's Office for review -- along with a request for a formal filing of murder charges against Crow.

Although the defendant may be in court today, Chief Assistant District Attorney Terry Spitz said Crow's arraignment may not be held until early next week.

When Crow appears in court, Worthington said, his client will enter a "not guilty" plea.

Crow is in Monterey County Jail with a bail of $3 million. Worthington declined comment on whether Crow will post bail.

According to court documents, Crow, a 1995 North Monterey County High School graduate, has a criminal record dating as far back as 1996.

In December 1996, Crow was arrested on suspicion of three felony charges of furnishing marijuana to a minor, and transportation and possession of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to transportation of marijuana in February 1997 and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years of probation.

In December 2006, Crow was charged with defrauding an innkeeper, but the case was dismissed six months later. In November 2007, Crow pleaded no contest to alcohol-related reckless driving and received three years of probation.

In Dec. 5, Crow was cited on suspicion of disorderly conduct for public intoxication. He pleaded guilty Feb. 2 and was sentenced to five days in jail and three years probation.

Crow is also sought in an illegal marijuana growing-operation case. Kanalakis confirmed that investigators forwarded the case Wednesday to the district attorney.

Kanalakis said the pot operation was discovered by deputies who went to Crow's Prunedale home to investigate Bunnell Crow's disappearance.

Kanalakis said deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana at the home.

"The deputies backed out, they obtained a search warrant, and it was executed the following day," he said.

About 300 marijuana plants were discovered, deputies said.

In the midst of the law enforcement search for Bunnell Crow, police have said Jesse Crow remained cooperative and was in daily contact with them.

It wasn't until 16 days after Bunnell Crow was reported missing that Salinas police arrested Jesse Crow during a traffic stop at 9:15 p.m. in Pacific Grove. Crow was in a car with Summer Rae Donovan, 33, who has been named by police as a "person of interest."

Salinas police spokesman Officer Lalo Villegas said Donovan was detained and questioned, and her Pacific Grove home searched at the time of Crow's arrest. Donovan has not been arrested, Fetherolf said Thursday.

According to court records, Donovan has two previous alcohol-related convictions.

Shelley Bunnell held her mother's hands tightly as Fetherolf expressed his condolences for the loss of her sister.

"We understand how difficult this whole ordeal has been for you," he said.

Fetherolf and Kanalakis remained tight-lipped about specific details in the case.

Sheriff deputies are spearheading the search for Bunnell Crow's remains. They will be assisted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter and volunteer pilots.

Fetherolf said detectives have many ideas for a motive.

"But nothing concrete at this point," he said. "So I would try not to speculate."

Along with the Sheriff's Office, Villegas said, Salinas police are working with the state Department of Justice and getting some advice from the Modesto Police Department, based on their experience with the Laci and Scott Peterson case, which held many similarities to the case involving the Crows.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100219/NEWS01/2190323

May I ask a pretty stupid question????????

Why does NG always have the families on her show, so early, but we never learn anything new. If they are unable to discuss the on-going investigation, why does she even bother these families? When my daughter was murdered by her husband, our local news tried to interview us, but we declined, and we actually had the body and knew she had been murdered. This family does not even know for sure that Ryann is dead, so why would NG even go there?

I'm sure NG does it for ratings and is hoping for a scoop even though she knows that most the time she won't get one.

Jesse Crow Pleads Not-Guilty in Wife's Murder

Posted: Feb 22, 2010 12:59 PM EST
Updated: Feb 22, 2010 5:16 PM EST

Update: As expected Jesse Crow has entered a plea of not-Guilty.

SALINAS, Calif- 33 year-old Jesse Crow has been charged with the murder of his wife, 23 year-old Ryann Bunnell Crow. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday at 1:30 PM to enter a plea. His lawyer tells Central Coast News that he will enter a not-guilty plea.

The District Attorney's office says that they received the evidence report from the Salinas Police on February 16. After many hours of intensive review and meetings they have determined that there is sufficient evidence to warrant the murder charge.

Ryann was reported missing to the Salinas Police Department on February 2 when she failed to report to work. She was last seen January 30 in the Prunedale area. Police believe that Ryann was murdered on January 30th.

The Salinas Police Department, Department of Justice and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office are continuing their investigations. The District Attorney's Office remains in communication with Ryann's family.

http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=12023930

Family Raises Money To Find Ryann Bunnell Crow

Posted: Feb 22, 2010 12:22 AM EST
Updated: Feb 22, 2010 12:48 AM EST

SALINAS, Calif. - Many Salinas community members opened their hearts and their wallets to help find Ryann Bunnell Crow, raising more than $2,600 for reward money.

The fundraising event for private search efforts to find Bunnell Crow took place in Salinas Sunday at the Oldtown Bar and Grill where volunteers held a bake sale. The proceeds collected will go to the family's effort to locate Bunnell Crow who's been missing since January.

Her family members said they've been boosted by the community response.

"We feel if there is someone out there who hasn't come forward who has seen my sister that possibly with a reward amount that they would come forward," said Shelley Bunnell, Ryann's older sister.

Last week Jesse Crow, Ryann's husband, was arrested for homicide in his wife's case. He's expected to be arraigned Monday.

http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=12021395

Interestingly, this article states that Ryann told some of her family members (wish they would call them by name...) that she might be pregnant... hmmm, motive??? brings to mind Mark Hacking and Scott Peterson, and I know the list could go on and on and on - but w/ the not-so-ex-g/f in the picture as well + a tumultuous and hurried marriage that wasn't working out so well and you + to that a pregnancy that maybe he didn't want = murder...

I thought that was an interesting development in her case... i'm wondering, since LE keep saying they have "significant forensic evidence" - can they not run a simple blood test (assuming that what they have is a very large amount of blood evidence) - can they tell just thru a blood test whether or not she was expecting?
I'm still hoping that they find her, but even if they do, her remains at this time would be at least partly to mostly skeletonized, probably making a pregnancy confirmation next to impossible... Her face and her eyes captivate me - she was so pretty, so full of life - so young...

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/23/crimesider/entry6235712.shtml

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Was Missing Newlywed Ryan Bunnel Crow Pregnant Before Alleged Murder?

February 24, 2010 7:00 AM
Posted by Carlin DeGuerin Miller

PRUNEDALE, Calif. (CBS) Jesse Crow pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the murder of his missing newlywed wife, Ryann Bunnell Crow, who disappeared three weeks ago in the California agricultural town of Salinas. She was reported missing after not showing up for her father's birthday and being AWOL from work at a flower shop.

Those close to the investigation say Ryann had recently told relatives she thought she was pregnant, according to CBS affiliate KION.

Police won't know if that is the case until her body is recovered.

Jesse Crow is being held on $3 million bail.

Salinas police, who are handling the investigation because Ryann Crow was living with her sister there, have indicated they have blood and DNA evidence supporting their contention that Jesse Crow killed his wife, but they have not said where the blood was found.

There is a substantial, tremendous amount of circumstantial evidence," said District Attorney Dean Flippo, adding that Ryann Crow's family was notified before the decision to charge Crow with murder was announced.

Jesse Crow's alleged girlfriend, Summer Donovan, has also been named as a person of interest in the case. Donovan was with Jesse Crow when he was arrested last week in Pacific Grove, police told KION.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/23/crimesider/entry6235712.shtml

Tish, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Ryann was killed because she was pregnant with a child that Jesse didn't want. He was carrying on with his ex-girlfriend and a new baby with Ryann probably didn't fit into his plans. Hopefully life in prison is going to have to fit into his plans now.

Judge mulls media request to unseal affidavits, warrants in Crow murder case

News outlets seek to unseal affidavits, warrants

By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Salinas Bureau
Posted: 03/13/2010 01:52:46 AM PST

Judge Russell Scott said he will rule early next week on media requests to unseal investigative records in the case of Jesse John Crow, 33, who is charged with the murder of his missing wife, Ryann Bunnell Crow.

The Herald and other media outlets have asked to view probable-cause affidavits and warrants related to the search of several properties in the case, including the Prunedale property of Jesse Crow's parents.

In a hearing Friday, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hulsey and defense attorney Brian Worthington argued that releasing the documents could hamper the investigation and impede Crow's right to a fair trial.

Herald Executive Editor Joe Livernois said Scott should come down on the side of the First Amendment and the public's right to view documents that are often public record.

"When two or more constitutionally protected rights are in conflict, we believe the court should err in favor of the principle most obviously in peril," said Livernois. "In this case, we hear that unsealing the documents may impede efforts to seat a jury and it might impede the prosecution's investigation. Those are possibilities, but the one thing we know for certain now is that keeping those documents sealed would definitely inhibit the free flow of public information."

Ryann Bunnell Crow, 23, was last seen driving in the vicinity of her in-laws' Langley Canyon Road property Jan. 30. Her family reported her missing Feb. 2 after she missed two days of work and a family party.

Her white 2002 Chevy Malibu was found in Foster City on Feb. 9. A week later, police arrested Crow and charged him with his wife's murder, based in part, said Police Chief Louis Fetherolf, on blood and DNA evidence.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office continues to search for her remains.

http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_14669682

Got a kick out of headline "Was Missing Newlywed Ryan Bunnell Crow Pregnant Before Alleged Murder?"
Not to seem gruesome but has anyone heard of a corpse becoming pregnant??? Whoeva wrote that headline needs to check their anatomy and physiology notes...

Woman abused, family says

Search warrant released in Jesse Crow murder case

By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Salinas Bureau
Updated: 03/24/2010 01:28:28 AM PDT

The mother and sister of Ryann Bunnell Crow told authorities when they reported her missing that her husband had abused her in the past, according to a search warrant released Tuesday.

Jesse Crow, 33, of Prunedale is charged with murdering his 23-year-old wife, who remains missing.

A judge may rule this morning on media requests to unseal other warrants in the case. Both the prosecution and defense are objecting to the requests by The Herald and other news outlets.

Crow, 33, is scheduled to appear before Judge Russell Scott this morning for confirmation or rescheduling of his preliminary hearing, which is currently set for Friday.

Police have said they have blood and DNA evidence supporting their conclusion that Crow killed his wife and District Attorney Dean Flippo has stated there is "persuasive evidence" of a motive, though that has not been revealed.

Ryann Crow was last seen Jan. 30 driving in the vicinity of her in-laws' Langley Canyon Road property. Her family reported her missing Feb. 2 after she missed two days of work and a family party.

Her white 2002 Chevy Malibu was found Feb. 9 in Foster City. A week later, police arrested Jesse Crow and charged him with his wife's murder. He is being held in Monterey County Jail in lieu of $3 million.

On Tuesday, with Judge Scott's approval, Monterey County Superior Court released documents related to a Feb. 2 search of Jesse Crow's home, in the 7600 block of Chester Drive in Prunedale.

According to the probable-cause statement filed to support the search warrant, sheriff's deputies went to the home after Ryann Crow's sister, Shelley Bunnell, reported her missing. Bunnell wanted her sister's husband questioned.

Arriving at the scene, deputy Michael Smith found Bunnell, her mother, Pamela Pipitoni, and Jesse Crow at the head of the driveway. The women said Crow abused his wife in the past, though it had not been reported.

That night, they told Smith, they followed Crow to a storage unit. They asked him to go home and await the police. Crow initially refused. However, Pipitoni and Bunnell followed him when he left and he went to the house, where they blocked his truck in the driveway.

Crow told Smith his wife had come to the house for about 45 minutes on Jan. 30 and left without incident in her own car. He was resistant when asked if deputies could check his house to make sure his wife wasn't there.

Pipitoni then told Smith that Crow had no job but plenty of money and that his father owned a medical marijuana cooperative in Soledad.

Crow told Smith he had a medical marijuana prescription and that recent court rulings permitted him to grow an unlimited number of plants. He eventually agreed to let deputies search his house if they stayed out of the bedrooms.

Inside deputies saw equipment associated with a marijuana grow and smelled the strong aroma of marijuana.

They confirmed Crow's wife was not in the house and then left to obtain the search warrant. During the subsequent search, deputies seized more than 300 marijuana plants and more than 5 pounds of dried marijuana.

Also found was a physician's statement and a medical marijuana card. Crow has not been charged with illegal marijuana cultivation.

Sheriff's deputies have subsequently scoured numerous sites, including Crow's parents' Langley Canyon property, in the search for what they believe will be her body. Those search warrants have been sealed.

http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_14746457

would he really bury her on his parents' property??
well, i suppose if he will kill her, then he would resort to anything...

Gun use alleged in Prunedale killing

Last Updated: March 25, 2010 1:30 PM
By McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Dennis Taylor

Prosecutors added new charges Wednesday in their case against Jesse Crow, alleging that he used a firearm to kill his wife.

Prosecutor Stephanie Hulsey filed an amended complaint early Wednesday. The complaint included charges of a felon in possession of a firearm and cultivating marijuana.

The attorney representing Crow expressed outrage, saying the Monterey County District Attorney's Office surprised him with hundreds of pages of reports early Wednesday - two days before a scheduled preliminary hearing - and said he feels certain that additional discovery is being withheld.

"I do not believe, even today, that the District Attorney's Office is giving us a complete picture, with all of the evidence, pro and con," said defense attorney Thomas Worthington.

Crow is accused of the murder of his wife, 23-year-old Ryann Bunnell Crow, whose body has not been found. She was last seen Jan. 30.

"The district attorney handed the amended complaint and an additional 450 pages of reports to us at 10:15 this morning, without prior notice," Worthington said. "Some of the reports go back to Feb. 18."

Hulsey was contacted by The Monterey Herald late Wednesday, but did not immediately respond to a request on her voicemail for comment.

Worthington said his office had made a proper written request for the documents two weeks ago, along with a verbal request.

"The DA has a duty to provide discovery without request, and they have simply delayed without explanation for reasons that have me completely baffled," Worthington said.

"We were ready to proceed (with the preliminary hearing) on Friday - we were ready to go - but we're absolutely forced into a delay," he said. "We'll need much more time to thoroughly read this additional material."

They will be back in court at 8:30 a.m. Friday to set a new pretrial hearing date, Worthington said.

http://hollisterfreelance.com/news/264225-gun-use-alleged-in-prunedale-killing

Ryann Crow case: DA adds that murder was for 'financial gain'

Herald Salinas Bureau
Posted: 04/28/2010 10:46:19 AM PDT
Updated: 04/28/2010 10:46:20 AM PDT

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office raised the stakes significantly Wednesday for Jesse Crow, the Prunedale man who is accused of murdering his 23-year-old wife in January.
Although authorities are still searching for Ryann Bunnell Crow, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hulsey added a special circumstance to the homicide charge against Jesse Crow, alleging that the murder was intentional and was carried out for financial gain.

If a jury determines that Crow is guilty of the special circumstance, he would be eligible for two possible sentences: life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. Before the enhancement, he was potentially facing a maximum sentence of approximately 40 years to life, Hulsey said.

Crow entered a not-guilty plea to the special circumstance through his attorney at Wednesday's hearing. He'll return to court at 8:30 a.m. May 14 for a pre-trial setting.

http://www.montereyherald.com/breaking/ci_14975807?nclick_check=1

Remains Found Across Bridge From Ryann Bunnell Crow's Car

Updated: May 28, 2010 4:45 PM EDT

HAYWARD, Calif- Police have found human remains on the Hayward water front. At this point investigators are still trying to recover the bones and do not know if they are male, female.

We have sent a Central Coast News crew to the scene because this is the same bridge where the car of missing woman, Ryann Bunnell Crow, was found.

Ryann was reported missing by her family in February. Her husband, Jesse Crow, is accused of murdering his wife.

Hayward police say that they are looking into several missing persons cases and that there has been some interest from Monterey County authorities but they will not confirm if it is in regards to the Ryann Bunnell Crow Case. Salinas Police have not returned our calls yet.

The bones were found by a passer-by earlier this week and the Hayward police were notified. Thursday evening police called out the CSI to investigate the bones and preliminary reports showed that they are human.

According to Captain McAllister with the Hayward police, the bones were found scattered on the shore over a 200 to 300 yard area.

Hayward Police do say an autopsy and identification could take up to several weeks.

Go to www.kionrightnow.com or www.kcba.com for any detail as they become available.

http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12562117

Remains Identified As Ryann Bunnell Crow

Posted: Jun 08, 2010 5:35 PM EDT

SALINAS, Calif- The Monterey District Attorney held a news conference Tuesday to announce that the remains of Ryann Bunnel Crow have been found.

Remains were found on May 26th on a bridge near Foster City in the bay area. The Department of Justice has confirmed that DNA testing of the remains are those of Ryann Bunnell Crow.

Ryann Bunnell Crow has been missing since January 30, 2010. Her husband, Jesse Crow, was charged with murder on February 22, 2010. The continuing investigation resulted in information suggesting that Ryann's remains would be located in the East Bay area. The search for her remains in the East Bay has been ongoing for 2 ½ months.

Below is a statement from Ryann Bunnell Crow's Family:

"Our family has been notified that the remains that were found across the Bay from Foster City was in fact those of our loving daughter, sister, cousin, and friend Ryann Bunnel. I cannot begin to explain the pain and loss that our family feels at this time. We are impressed at the speedy work of every one involved from the very begening until today. We have nothing but respect and admiration for law enforcement for all agencies involved. The revelation that Ryann has been found is bitter sweet. We are happy that she is found so we can bring her to rest in the proper way that she deserves. This time also brings us great sorrow. Ryann was a wonderful giving loving person. Her loss is a great one, not only for our family, but to the multitude of friends and extended family that she has. Thanks to every one for giving our family the privacy and prayers that we need to cope with this tremendous loss."

Shelly Bunnell

http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=12616428

How very sad this is, and again, another lovely young woman dead at the hands of the one chosen to love and protect her. My heart goes out to her family, who cherished her, now has to plan her funeral. They will endure more pain as they struggle to seek justice for Ryann, and witness the trial of her murderer.

I've never understood why some of these guys act like they've never heard of a legal option called divorce. Maybe Jesse Crow will confess in exchange for life without parole and avoid a trial like Gardner and Huckaby did.