Mysterious: Authorities can't tell how Katie Wilkins, 25, died. She was found in a locked house with the washer still running
Authorities are trying to piece together details in the puzzling death of a 25-year-old Malibu, Calif. graphic designer found dead in garage of her parents’ home over the weekend.
The body of Katie Wilkins, 25, was discovered Saturday evening by her brother, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She was pronounced dead at the scene. And her car, a silver BMW, was missing. For a time, the death was being investigated as a homicide.
But after an autopsy today, police said they do not believe foul play was involved in Wilkins’ death, though many questions remain and according to a statement by the sheriff’s department, “The investigation is on-going.”
Steve Wilkins, Katie Wilkins’ brother, said the family is desperate for information about what led to her death.
The final cause of Wilkins’ death will not be determined until after toxicology tests are completed, authorities said.
Wilkins’ parents left town Friday on an out-of-state trip. Saturday her brother went to check on her, at the house where she lived with her parents, and found her lying on the garage floor.
“I put my hand to her wrist and it was really cold,” Steve Wilkins told ABC News affiliate KABC. “All of a sudden, a bunch of questions come through, what happened? How could she be left like this? Was she alone?”
The family’s home is on a cul-de-sac in a quiet, affluent neighborhood in the Malibu Hills. Family members say the windows and doors in the house were all locked when Wilkins was found, including the front door.
Yet, her car, a silver 1998 BMW Z3 with red interior and license plate number 4AMN588, was missing. And the family dog was found wandering the neighborhood.
Family members said there were no obvious signs of trauma to her body.
“Well I think as you know, we lost our daughter the other night” said Rob Wilkins, the victim’s father, told KABC. “They’re looking for the car, so we’re just trying to do what we can to figure out what happened. ”
Family members said Wilkins was a well-liked and happy person. After graduating from the Art Institute of California, Orange County, last year, she started her own freelance graphic design business called Katie Wilkins Design.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. I just couldn’t figure out what in the heck could have happened?” Diane Wilkins, the victim’s mother, told ABC7. ”It just doesn’t add up at all. It’s gut wrenching, I mean, it’s very hard.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Car remains missing. Last known contact will not share what he knows with the family or investigators. This last known contact never revealed his contact with Katie before her death during the days following her death. At the point during the investigation when it was found that he had contact with Katie Wilkins hours before she died, he lawyered up and has been defiantly silent to Katies family and investigators. This last known contact to Katie Wilkins before she died is Christopher A. Benton, son of Pepperdine President Andy Benton.
ReplyDeleteIt is not hard to imagine who hired the lawyer here and who decided it would be a "moral" thing to do to put Christopher A. Benton in a drug rehab facility where Chrisopher enjoys protection from his accountability (good or bad) in the death of Katie Wilkins.
In private the Benton family claimed ignorance to Katie's death when they were contacted for answers regarding Christopher A. Benton. Another part of the unethical/immoral defiantly silent posturing they have engaged in since it was revealed Christopher A. Benton had some answers that the family deserved and demands to know.
After some pressure Andy Benton released a well crafted statement. That statement should be criqued given it's timing (much too late) and it's motives.
Keep putting pressure to have the case seen as possible foul play so that the facts may be found as soon as possilbe.
Christopher A. Benton's unethical gamble of remaining defiantly silent in the investigation should not be tolerated by the community let alone the those who hold Pepperdine University in the high regard it deservers.
this story, is a huge cover up by malibu police and a powerful family, chris was there , he most likey took the car once katie had died. This guy is a coward and has no morals due to drug problems. Why is he so protected and cant be questioned when he was the last person to be with katie.. I dont get it.. how is this no FOUL PLay.. come on people.. spread the word. Malibu Cover Up..
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