Full Notification

DATE/TIME:   Tuesday, September 12, 2017 / 8:00 a.m.
 
INCIDENT:     Cold Case Homicide Investigation - Arrest   
 
LOCATION:   Dale Evans Parkway and Interstate 15 Freeway, Apple Valley
 
VICTIM:          Noel Cornelius, 23 years old (at time of death), a resident of Victorville
                                    Photo of male without a mustache is the victim, Noel Cornelius
 
SUSPECT:      Malachi Dawson, Caucasian male, 32 years old (today), a resident of Chino Hills
                                    Photo of male with mustache is the suspect,
 Malachi Dawson
 
SUMMARY:   
On November 27^th, 2005, Victor Valley Station deputies responded to a call for service for a dead body in the desert several miles southwest of Dale Evans Parkway off the Interstate 15 freeway in unincorporated Apple Valley.  The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was unable to be identified.  On July 12^th, 2006, Joy Roles reported her son-in-law, Noel Cornelius missing.  On June 23^rd, 2008, Noel was identified as the homicide victim.  At the time of the homicide, Noel was married to Rebekah Dawson.  Rebekah had two brothers, Malachi and Isaac Dawson. 
 
In 2012, cold case homicide detectives assumed the investigation.  Witnesses reported Noel was last seen alive at Malachi and Isaac’s apartment in Apple Valley.  Present at the apartment with Noel were Malachi, Isaac and Michael Marshall.  Since 2012, cold case detectives have conducted numerous interviews and re-examined the physical evidence.  On September 11, 2017, Cold Case Detectives Salsberry and Hartleben arrested Malachi for the murder of Noel and booked him into West Valley Detention Center for PC 187-Murder.  Bail was set at $1,000,000.00.
 
The cold case team is comprised of Investigators Adam Salsberry, Nick Hartleben, Steve Shumway and Gerrit Tesselaar and Deputy District Attorneys Joel Buckingham and Denise Yoakum.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Adam Salsberry or Sergeant Greg Myler, Homicide Detail (909) 387-3589.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com
 
 
Refer:              Detective Adam Salsberry or Sergeant Greg Myler
 
Station:            Specialized Investigations Division Homicide Detail
 
Phone No.       (909) 387-3589
    
Case No.         DR# 070504628 H# 2005-107
 
                
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department