thedrifter
02-16-04, 06:25 AM
Ex-boyfriend held in Marine's death
Lance corporal found dead in her bathtub
By Shannon Tangonan
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 14, 2004
FALLBROOK – The former boyfriend of a Camp Pendleton Marine who was found dead in her bathtub Thursday has been booked on suspicion of murder, the Sheriff's Department said yesterday.
Wardell Nelson Joiner Jr., 24, was taken into custody late Thursday at a Camp Pendleton residence, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Terry Wisniewski.
Lance Cpl. Vanessa M. Messner, 19, of Oklahoma, was killed, Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement. Messner worked as a field operator for Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
She joined the Marine Corps in May 2002 and was deployed last year in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Joiner is a former Camp Pendleton Marine who became a civilian worker at the base, Wisniewski said. He is being held at the Vista jail.
On Thursday, a supervisor contacted authorities when Messner did not report to work. Deputies checked her apartment on Alturas Road in Fallbrook and found Messner's body in the bathtub.
Messner probably was drowned, but investigators were awaiting autopsy results, Wisniewski said. Investigators believed that she died Wednesday evening.
Her father, Van Messner, said his daughter met Joiner during her deployment in Iraq.
"She was getting ready to move back on the base," Messner said. "She said, 'I've got to get away from him,' " he added.
Family members said they were waiting to hear more about the circumstances surrounding her death from Camp Pendleton authorities.
Vanessa Messner was attending college when she decided to become a Marine, her father said. "After 9/11, she kind of felt an obligation."
Messner was last home in Slapout, Okla., a few weeks ago when the Marine Corps sent her there as a recruiting assistant for about 20 days. Her family last spoke with her Saturday night.
"We had a great conversation. She talked with her mother for probably 30, 45 minutes," Messner said.
Messner said everyone was extremely proud of Vanessa, who was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.
"She was well thought of here . . . She did great things and touched lots of people's lives here," he said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shannon Tangonan:
(760) 737-7567; shannon.tangonan@uniontrib.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040214-9999-1mi14marine.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Lance corporal found dead in her bathtub
By Shannon Tangonan
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 14, 2004
FALLBROOK – The former boyfriend of a Camp Pendleton Marine who was found dead in her bathtub Thursday has been booked on suspicion of murder, the Sheriff's Department said yesterday.
Wardell Nelson Joiner Jr., 24, was taken into custody late Thursday at a Camp Pendleton residence, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Terry Wisniewski.
Lance Cpl. Vanessa M. Messner, 19, of Oklahoma, was killed, Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement. Messner worked as a field operator for Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
She joined the Marine Corps in May 2002 and was deployed last year in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Joiner is a former Camp Pendleton Marine who became a civilian worker at the base, Wisniewski said. He is being held at the Vista jail.
On Thursday, a supervisor contacted authorities when Messner did not report to work. Deputies checked her apartment on Alturas Road in Fallbrook and found Messner's body in the bathtub.
Messner probably was drowned, but investigators were awaiting autopsy results, Wisniewski said. Investigators believed that she died Wednesday evening.
Her father, Van Messner, said his daughter met Joiner during her deployment in Iraq.
"She was getting ready to move back on the base," Messner said. "She said, 'I've got to get away from him,' " he added.
Family members said they were waiting to hear more about the circumstances surrounding her death from Camp Pendleton authorities.
Vanessa Messner was attending college when she decided to become a Marine, her father said. "After 9/11, she kind of felt an obligation."
Messner was last home in Slapout, Okla., a few weeks ago when the Marine Corps sent her there as a recruiting assistant for about 20 days. Her family last spoke with her Saturday night.
"We had a great conversation. She talked with her mother for probably 30, 45 minutes," Messner said.
Messner said everyone was extremely proud of Vanessa, who was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.
"She was well thought of here . . . She did great things and touched lots of people's lives here," he said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shannon Tangonan:
(760) 737-7567; shannon.tangonan@uniontrib.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040214-9999-1mi14marine.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: