Third striker on parole to face charges of murdering a woman in his RV

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF0072

Date: January 16, 2015

THIRD-STRIKER PAROLEE TO FACE TRIAL FOR STRANGLING-MURDER OF WOMAN IN RV

SANTA ANA – A third-striker parolee will face trial Tuesday for murdering a 21-year-old woman by strangling her to death in his recreational vehicle (RV). Ean Keith Brown, 41, is charged with one felony count of murder and sentencing enhancements for two prior strike convictions and serious felony priors for second degree robbery in 1995 and burglary in 2008. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 85 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at 9:15 a.m., in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Brown was released from state prison in 2010 and was on parole for burglary. After his release from prison and at the time of the murder, the defendant is accused of living in an RV in the driveway of his parent’s Huntington Beach home.

Victim Dolores “Arias” Fagan, 21, was staying with relatives who lived on the same street as the defendant. At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2012, Fagan left her family’s home and was never seen again.

Sometime between Jan. 6, 2012, and Jan. 8, 2012, Brown is accused of murdering Fagan in his RV by strangling her and stuffing her body in a sleeping bag.

At approximately 12:10 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2012, Brown’s parents became suspicious and contacted the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) to request officers inspect the RV. HBPD, who investigated this case, responded to the scene and discovered Fagan’s body. Brown was not home at the time.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., Brown was located driving northbound on Interstate 15 toward the Nevada border by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol. The defendant is accused of leading the pursuing officers on a high-speed chase, but was ultimately arrested and turned over to HBPD.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Gundy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718