BEND, Ore. – Medical examiners confirmed a body found earlier this week was that of 23 year-old Kaylee Sawyer, who reportedly died of blunt force trauma, according to police.
Sawyer’s body was found Tuesday afternoon off Highway 126 near in Redmond’s Dry Canyon.
31-year-old Edwin Lara, was arrested the same day on a number of charges including kidnapping and robbery, after fleeing Oregon and driving into California.
He was later charged with murder in Deschutes County.
“I charged Mr. Lara with murder because I believe the evidence supports the charge of murder,” said Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel. “We’ve alleged in our information that he intentionally killed Kaylee and that’s what the evidence shows.”
DA Hummel said he will file paperwork with Gov. Kate Brown to request extradition, and her office will send it to the office of California Gov. Jerry Brown, paving the way for his return to Bend.
In California, Lara faces five felony charges, including attempted murder.
According to prosecutors, if Lara waives extradition, he could be back in Deschutes County in a matter of days. But if Lara decides to fight it, it could be weeks until he can be arraigned on one count of murder.
