Suspect Allegedly Involved in 2005 Murder of Victorville Man Arrested

Apple Valley Felon Arrested for Stealing Running Car

Two 19-Year-Old Apple Valley Men Arrested for Murder

VICTORVILLE – A cold-case murder suspect was arrested on Monday, nearly 12 years following the discovery of a lifeless body in the desert.

On November 27, 2005, deputies responded to the desert area several miles southwest of Dale Evans Parkway off the 15 freeway in an unincorporated area of Apple Valley for the report of a dead body. The death was determined to be the result of multiple gunshot wounds, but the victim was not able to immediately be identified. Nearly seven months later, one July 23, 2008, Joy Roles reported that her son-in-law, Noel Cornelius, 23, of Victorville was missing. Noel was then identified as the victim, who at the time was married to Rebekah Dawson, whose two brothers were Malachi and Isaac Dawson.

After intense investigation, the case eventually went cold and in 2012, it was reopened by the cold case homicide detectives. Cold Case investigators learned that the last time anyone saw Cornelius alive was at Malachi and Isaac’s Apple Valley apartment. At the time, the brothers; Isaac and Malachi, along with Michael Marshall. Numerous interviews were conducted and physical evidence was re-examined. Through investigation it was determined that Malachi was the suspect in the murder of Noel Cornelius. On Monday, September 11, 2017, Malachi Dawson, 32, of Chino Hills was arrested for murder and booked into the West Valley Detention Center. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

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