Jason Culberson, aged 43, was found dead on September 3, 2019, in Hesperia, California. His death was part of a tragic series of events that unfolded in late August and early September 2019. Culberson, along with 37-year-old Melissa Graetz, was discovered inside a home on C Avenue in Hesperia. The authorities did not immediately release the causes of death for either Culberson or Graetz.
However, their deaths were linked to a broader investigation involving multiple homicides in the area.
The primary suspect in these killings was Phillip Michael Williamson, a 37-year-old man with a history of criminal activity. Williamson was connected to the deaths of three individuals, including Culberson, Graetz, and 35-year-old Brandi Jones. Jones was found dead in her car in Apple Valley on August 30, 2019, just days before Culberson and Graetz were discovered. Williamson was also suspected of committing a robbery and arson around the same time.
Williamson's crime spree began on August 30, 2019, when he allegedly confronted a 76-year-old man at his home in Apple Valley, forcing him to hand over several hundred dollars and a handgun. During this confrontation, the elderly man reported seeing a woman's partially hidden body inside Williamson's vehicle. This woman was later identified as Brandi Jones. Following this incident, Williamson's vehicle was found abandoned with Jones' body inside.
The investigation into these murders led authorities to Williamson's home in Hesperia, where they found evidence of a struggle. Despite obtaining a search warrant and an arrest warrant, Williamson was not immediately apprehended. It wasn't until nearly a year later, in August 2020, that Williamson was arrested in Ensenada, Mexico, by the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. He was subsequently extradited to the United States and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on multiple charges, including murder, robbery, and burglary.
Williamson's arrest brought some relief to the families and friends of the victims, who had been seeking justice for nearly a year. The case highlighted the dangers posed by individuals with a history of violent behavior and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down fugitives. As of the latest updates, Williamson was being held on a $1,000,000 bail and was expected to face trial for his alleged crimes.
