U.S. MARINE TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN LAGUNA HILLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 17HF1251

Date: September 18, 2017

U.S. MARINE TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN LAGUNA HILLS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A United States Marine is scheduled to be arraigned today for the shooting-murder of his estranged wife in Laguna Hills.

Defendant

Charges

Maximum Sentence

Court Date

Jerel Mark Boykins, 26, North Carolina

Charged today with:

  • One felony count of murder

Sentencing Enhancement

  • Personal use of a firearm

50 years to life in state prison

Arraignment

Sept. 18, 2017, time to be determined

Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

  • Prior to the murder, 23-year-old Yahaira Boykins separated from her husband, defendant Jerel Boykins.
  • On Sept. 14, 2017, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Jerel Boykins is accused of going to Yahaira Boykins’ home in Laguna Hills and shooting the victim multiple times with his personal firearm at close range.
  • The defendant is accused of fleeing the scene and driving to Camp Pendleton.
  • At approximately 2:20 p.m., Marine personnel detained Jerel Boykins and called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), who investigated this case and arrested the defendant.
  • OCSD located the victim in her bedroom, and she was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy, Homicide Unit.