One person has been arrested after the discovery of former Bridalplasty reality show contestant Lisa Marie Naegle in a suburban LA backyard shallow grave.
The 36-year-old, who competed in 2010 for a dream wedding and plastic surgery on the show, last spoke to her husband on Sunday, December 18.
Police arrested a 34-year-old nursing student, Jackie Jerome Rogers, on December 20 after questioning him.
They said he told investigators Lisa Marie Naegle’s body was at his home.
Police spokesman Sal Ramirez said on Tuesday night of the discovery in Lennox, near Los Angeles International Airport: “We can confirm a body which we believe is Lisa Marie was discovered in a shallow grave at the suspect’s home.
“The detectives strongly believe it is her.”
Police did not give a motive for the killing.
Lisa Marie Naegle was hit on the head seven times with a hammer early on Sunday morning, TMZ reports, citing law enforcement sources.
Local newspaper The Daily Breeze reported that she taught nursing classes at West Los Angeles College and that Jackie Jerome Rogers was one of her students.
The former Bridalplasty contestant, who came fourth on the E! network’s reality show, had gone to a birthday party on Saturday night at Alpine Village, a beer hall and restaurant in another Los Angeles suburb, Torrance.
Her husband, Derek Harryman, said he had texted her at around 02:00 local time on Sunday to find out where she was.
“Within a minute or two, she called me,” he told the Daily Breeze.
“She sounded really, really drunk. She said, <<I’m going to get some food and then I’ll be home>>.”
But she never made it.
Lisa Marie Naegle’s family reported her missing on Sunday night and issued an appeal on social media for help in finding her.
They said they obtained photos showing her leaving the beer hall with Jackie Jerome Rogers.
Lisa Marie Naegle’s relatives contacted Jackie Jerome Rogers after they obtained CCTV footage which appeared to show her getting into the suspect’s vehicle.
Her sister, Danielle Naegle-Kaimona, told KABC-TV: “While he was talking to us and telling us his story, multiple different times he said he absolutely did not go home with her, or did not take her home.”
After being challenged that Lisa Marie Naegle had been filmed getting into his car, Jackie Jerome Rogers changed his story, the family said. He acknowledged that she did get into his car, but said she got out moments later. The family then contacted police.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvadFKs3dkU
