Christian J. Wilkins and Adeena M. Copell are coming home for trial. The Clatsop County couple is accused of killing Agate Beach man Howard Daniel Vinge, stealing his vehicle and RV and fleeing to Arizona.
The two were charged by the Clatsop County District Attorney’s office with murder, abuse of a corpse and two counts each of unauthorized use of a vehicle. Copell was also charged with hindering the prosecution by hiding or destroying evidence.
Vinge’s corpse was found Sept. 30 wrapped in material about 3 miles east of Astoria along U.S. Highway 30. The state Medical Examiner’s Office determined he died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head.
After the alleged murder, Copell and Wilkins reportedly stole Vinge’s RV and Lincoln Continental. Vinge’s motorhome was found abandoned about 12 miles east of Seaside near the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 and Oregon Highway 53.
The couple were found Oct. 4 near Flagstaff, Arizona, driving the Lincoln and were arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
They appeared in court this morning in Coconino County Superior Court, which is equivalent to Clatsop County Circuit Court. During the hearing, they were given a copy of the grand jury’s indictment and the couple waived their right to an extradition hearing. District Attorney Josh Marquis said the pair will likely be arraigned locally in early November, after the county sends someone to transport them from Arizona.
Wilkins and Copell face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the alleged murder.
Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Copell, Wilkins or Vinge since Sept. 1 to contact law enforcement at 503-325-2061. Police believe the couple befriended Vinge sometime during the summer, likely near Vinge’s home in Agate Beach.
Investigators learned that while allegedly disposing of the body between Sept. 21 and 27, the pair may have encountered a man and woman in a black car. Investigators are urging the potential witnesses to come forward.