Homicide investigators discover victim was six months pregnant

By Tim Farley

Jessica Lynn Brown was six months pregnant when she was gunned down inside her home Jan. 11, Midwest City’s top police official said.

“We are investigating it as a double homicide now and the suspect, once arrested, will be charged with two counts of murder,” said Police Chief Brandon Clabes.

With this new twist in the case, detectives still are trying to determine the identity of the father.

“All the medical documentation dealing with her pregnancy does not list a name,” the chief said.

Clabes would not disclose the specific medical records police have obtained.

Clabes said he also could not comment on the victim’s dating or social life. However, he said investigators are reviewing evidence in connection with telephone records, texts and social media sites.

Some of the information about the victim’s pregnancy was obtained from her Facebook page, Clabes said.

Brown and her estranged husband, Fabion Brown, were embroiled in a divorce when the woman was killed. Jessica Brown, a National Guard soldier, filed for divorce on April 21, 2011, according to records at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. A hearing in the divorce case was scheduled in Oklahoma County district court the day police discovered Jessica Brown’s body.

Despite the divorce, detectives have not focused their attention solely on Fabion Brown. According to Clabes, investigators continue to interview a large number of people the woman knew from her job at Loomis and the National Guard.

At first, Fabion Brown refused to talk to police, but later agreed to an interview with his attorney present.

“He was somewhat cooperative,” Clabes said.

Public’s help

Investigators are hoping the newly released details of Brown’s pregnancy and the manner of death will generate additional leads from the public. Still, some information such as the type of gun used to kill Jessica Brown remains secret.

“Some of this is information only the killer would know,” Clabes said.

Police officials continue to say they have not named any suspects at this point.

“We are investigating it as a double homicide now and the suspect, once arrested, will be charged with two counts of murder.” Police Chief Brandon Clabes

“We’re hoping to generate more followup leads that can help us solve this case,” Clabes said. “We’re the only voice for Jessica and her unborn child. The more people we talk to the more information we have to go on.”

No suspicious persons

Homicide detectives have determined through interviews with Brown’s neighbors that no suspicious persons were seen at the victim’s house, 933 Locust Lane, before or after the killing. Although police refused to release the exact time Brown was killed, Clabes confirmed the victim was at her job Jan. 10 and found at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 11.

Clabes declined to say if Brown had worked the day or night shift at Loomis, which provides secure armored transport, automated teller machine services, cash processing and outsourced vault services for banks, other financial institutions, commercial and retail businesses.

Domestic violence?

In an earlier interview, Clabes said the killing was “unique and unusual.” In a more recent statement, Despite the divorce and numerous police calls to the victim’s home the last 10 months, Clabes acknowledged that investigators had not obtained enough information to classify the murder as a domestic abuse “With any killing, there has to be ability, motive and desire,” the chief said.

“That’s what we’re considering as we talk to people.”

Children as witnesses?

Police discovered Jessica Brown’s body after a 911 caller reported two small chil dren playing in the street about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 11. When officers arrived at the house, they saw a 2-year-old girl and her 4-year-old brother playing in the front yard and wearing pajamas. Police said the children were unsupervised.

After officers asked where their mother was, one of the children replied, “Mommy is asleep.” Once inside the house, police discovered the woman’s body with obvious signs of trauma.

The children, who remain in protective custody, reportedly were in the house when the killing occurred. Police have declined to say if one or both of the children witnessed the crime.

tfarley@eastwordnews.com