Man to stand trial for killing of missing woman

BARSTOW • Judge Cheryl Kersey ruled Thursday that Silver Lakes resident Jeami Chiapulis, 37, will stand trial for the murder of an apparent girlfriend, Barstow resident Leisa Hurst.

Although Hurst’s body hasn’t been found, police arrested Chiapulis on Feb. 13. Chiapulis is charged with first-degree murder and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Hurst, 30, was reported missing January 22. Her family and friends organized searches in the Helendale and Oro Grande areas during the last five months.

During Thursday’s hearing, Barstow Police Department Det. Keith Libby testified that Joyce Fransson, a friend and another apparent sexual partner of Chiapulis’ — who is married — told him that Chiapulis met her at California State University of San Bernardino the night of January 22. Libby said that Fransson had told him that Chiapulis was driving an orange sport utility vehicle that didn’t belong to him.

Libby further testified that Fransson said that Chiapulis asked her where a high crime area was to dump the vehicle because he claimed a friend wanted to fake a vehicle theft. Libby said that Chiapulis then followed Fransson to Olive Street in Hesperia where they left the orange SUV before going to Chiapulis’ house. Hurst’s orange Honda Element was later discovered on Olive Street.

Libby testified that what police believe to be blood was located on the carpet and walls of Chiapulis’ home. BlueStar, a chemical police use to test for blood, was used and tested positive. The carpet sample is currently undergoing analysis at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department crime lab.

Libby’s testimony also covered a series of purchases Chiapulis made at Home Depot around January 22. Libby testified receipts he obtained from Home Depot revealed that Chiapulis purchased a trash can, gloves, bleach, duct tape, a shovel, and a pick ax.
The final witness of the day was Ryan McKenna. He was Chiapulis’ cell mate at the West Valley Detention Center, serving time for assault with a deadly weapon.

McKenna testified that during a conversation Chiapulis confessed to Hurst’s killing in March. McKenna said that Chiapulis told him that Hurst asked him to choke her while they had intercourse in the jacuzzi at Chiapulis’ home. McKenna testified that Chiapulis said he went too far and Hurst fell unconscious and died.

McKenna also said that Chiapulis told him that he used the trash can, bleach and gloves to clean the house before burying Hurst in the desert.

Chiapulis will now be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on June 17 at the Barstow Courthouse.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com