Arrest Made In Oklahoma Panhandle Death Case

It's been four months and 24 days, 3,497.94 hours, and 210,240 minutes. That's how long an Oklahoma Panhandle family has awaited justice. It may not seem long to some as there are those who havåe waited longer and in fact, are still waiting.

But, when a family has lost a loved one to someone else's hand - it can seem a lifetime.

It was in June of this year that London Valdez, 16, of Hooker, Okla., left her grandmother's home. She was last heard from June 7. It would take five days before she was found. 

London left in the company of two males: Brayden Brown, 19, and Jose Minjares Luna, 21, both of Beaver, Okla. Her body was found June 12 in a ditch beside a country road.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, who said they were called in to the investigation June 12, recently released a press release saying charges had been filed against Brown.

"Beaver County Sheriff's Office requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate a suspicious death (June 12)," OSBI said in the release. "Earlier that day, deputies responded to a rural location near County Road NS 135 and County Road EW 9 regarding a deceased individual. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who identified the individual as a 16-year-old female from Hooker, Oklahoma."

An autopsy was done by the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office.

"The victim’s cause and manner of death was determined to be acute methamphetamine toxicity, compounded by hyperthermia," the OSBI said.

During their investigation, OSBI special agents said they determined London was traveling with Brown a few days before her death.

"Investigators spoke to Brown and learned that while traveling with the victim, he was intoxicated on methamphetamine," the OSBI release states. "Brown was driving the vehicle and got stuck on a dirt road just north of the intersection where the victim was found deceased. Brown then exited the vehicle and fled the scene. That was the last time the female victim was seen alive."

London's grandmother, Liz Taylor-Valdez, "adored" her granddaughter. When asked what has gotten her through since her granddaughter went missing, Taylor-Valdez said "rage".

"She mattered," Taylor-Valdez said, adding her other grandchildren, including London's sister, Paris, was another motivating factor. "Knowing Paris is still here and my grandson, Vincent Tyler Valdez - they are part of my soul as well."

Taylor-Valdez is grateful for an employer who has been understanding.

"I have an amazing boss, Christina Mitchel, who lets me work 'differently'," Taylor-Valdez said, "where I'm alone  so when grief still overcomes me and I'm sobbing only the dogs and kitties hear it - not my coworkers or poor unsuspecting clients."

Taylor-Valdez described London as a "force".

"She had a charisma that I doubt she even knew," she said. "She could command a room by entering and not saying a word."

Taylor-Valdez said her granddaughter was fearless.

"She despised bullies, gossip, and mean girls," she said.

London's sister, Paris, had several emotions when she learned an arrest had finally been made in connection with her sister's death.

"When my mother told me that after almost five months someone had finally been arrested and was being held responsible for my baby sister's death I was angry, relieved, sad and determined," Paris said. "I wanted to scream, but I also felt nauseous and like I was going to pass out from such a reality."

Paris and London were "best friends" as well as sisters.

"She was honest and opinionated," Paris said. "She never hid how something made her feel and held grudges for eternity, but she was kind and generous and always did her best to think of the family and not just her."

Paris said her sister did not tolerate disrespect from random people, family or friends.

"She could also make you laugh so hard you were crying, which makes these past four months without her empty and dull," Paris said. "I lost a piece of me. Even though I was the oldest, she was my rock and kept me from doing things I would regret. She listened and understood and never ever judged me for my life choices."

Paris now feels a huge void.

"I can't recover and wake up every morning forgetting and remembering she's gone," Paris said.

London's mother, Brittany, struggled with the loss of a daughter.

"When Brayden got arrested, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, like for the first time in a long time, I could finally breathe," Brittany said. "It doesn't take the pain away or bring London back, but it gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, justice is finally starting to move in the right direction."

What has helped her get through the past almost five months?

"My determination to get London the justice she deserves," Brittany said. "My love for her gives me the strength to keep going when I feel like I can't. I also keep going for my other daughter, Paris. I love her so much and she still needs her mom to be strong, to keep showing up for her and to keep believing that better days will come. At the end of the day, love, truth, and determination have kept me going - even through the pain."

Based on the information and evidence obtained, according to the OSBI, Brown was charged with Second-Degree Murder by the District 1 District Attorney’s Office on October 30. Brown was already booked into the Beaver County Jail on unrelated charges.

According to a spokesperson, Brown was already incarcerated, following an altercation with his father, Leo Brown, who was also arrested.

The OSBI said London's case is still an ongoing investigation.

"The OSBI appreciates the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office for their continued assistance with this investigation," they said..