Local authorities arrested a Marine in California on Sunday, charging him with murder in connection to the death of his wife, according to military and law enforcement officials.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 5, Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station deputies arrived at the Hi Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, California, where they arrested 23-year-old Marine Cpl. Carlos Zamudio.
Zamudio had brought his wife, Savannah Encke, 21, to the emergency room with severe injuries, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office. Despite life-saving measures, Encke died at the hospital as a result of the injuries.
Detectives with the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division homicide unit allege that Zamudio -- who had wounds to his face -- "was responsible for the injuries leading to ... Encke's death," according to the news release, which was issued Monday evening.
Zamudio was arrested approximately 10 minutes after authorities arrived at the hospital, according to the news release and jail records. He is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center with a bail set at $1,050,000.
"1st Marine Division is aware of the arrest of one of our Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Carlos Zamudio, by San Bernardino Sheriff's Department on Jan. 5," 1st Lt. Colton Martin, a spokesperson for the unit, told Military.com in an emailed statement Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department told Military.com that Zamudio appeared in court Wednesday. Inmate records indicate he appeared in front of the Morongo Superior Court in Joshua Tree, but did not list any legal representation.
Zamudio enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2020, attending the service's West Coast boot camp in San Diego, California. He was assigned as a transmission systems operator, according to his service record, which was shared with Military.com by the Marine Corps. He was pinned corporal in 2022.
"The circumstances surrounding the incident leading to the arrest are currently under investigation, and division leadership is engaged and committed to supporting local authorities on this case," Martin, the unit spokesperson, added.
The news release did not disclose the nature of Encke's injuries, nor the specific events that precipitated them. A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department declined to offer additional information about the case, citing the "active and ongoing investigation."
Authorities encouraged those with information about the case to contact Detective Owenn Domon with the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904 or anonymously at 800-78CRIME.
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