Suspect in Brooke Wilberger Case Joel Courtney Arrives Back in Corvallis

Brooke Wilberger has never been found, but prosecutors believe they still have the goods on Joel Courtney who will soon go on trial.

41-year old Joel Courtney is charged in Oregon with Aggravated Murder, Kidnapping, Sodomy and Rape in the Brooke Wilberger case from 2004. Photo: Benton County Sheriff's Office. Other photos courtesy: Washington County Jail.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson, Corvallis Police Department Captain Jon Sassaman, and Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson held a joint media conference to announce the arrival of Joel Courtney in Benton County today.

Courtney in 1991

41-year old Courtney is alleged to have murdered Brooke Wilberger nearly four years ago after she was abducted in Corvallis.

The May 24th, 2004 case has generated major attention and drew the efforts of hundreds in a fruitless search for the young woman who was a college student in Utah, visiting her sister at a Corvallis apartment complex.

Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies took Courtney into custody early Monday morning from the New Mexico State Prison. He was then transported to Benton County arriving about 3:00 PM today.

He was subsequently lodged in the Benton County Corrections Facility where he will be held pending court appearances.

Sheriff Diana Simpson extended her thanks to the New Mexico authorities for their assistance in the release of Courtney, as well as the assistance of the FBI and specifically Special Agents Joe Boyer and Tim Suttles for their help in making transportation arrangements.

Courtney in 1985

Additionally, the Sheriff's Office says they extend their thanks to the Corvallis Police Department for their assistance in the planning of the transport.

"Furthermore, the transport team that included members of the Corrections Facility and Law Enforcement Divisions of the Benton County Sheriff's Office are to be highly commended for their professionalism, diligence and perseverance in ensuring that Joel Courtney arrived in Benton County securely and safely" stated Sheriff Simpson.

Courtney was born June 2nd, 1966 in Beaverton, Oregon. He attended both Beaverton and Sunset High Schools. Courtney left school in 1984. In 1985, he was charged with attempted rape and first-degree sex abuse in Oregon's Washington County.

Joel Courtney will be held in the custody of the Benton County Sheriff's Office. He is charged in Oregon with Aggravated Murder, Kidnapping, Sodomy and Rape.

Salem-News.com has published many reports and articles on the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger. They are all cataloged on Google at this address: Salem-News.com stories on Brooke Wilberger