An arrest made in Wilberger slaying

OREM — A 39-year-old man held on rape and kidnap charges in New Mexico has been charged in the slaying of Brigham Young University student Brooke Wilberger more than 14 months after Wilberger disappeared from an apartment complex in Corvallis, Ore.

Corvallis Police Lt. Ron Noble confirmed late Tuesday that Joel Patrick Courtney has been charged with killing Wilberger. Courtney has been in custody in Albuquerque, N.M., since he was arrested on Nov. 30 in the kidnapping and assault of a foreign-exchange student in New Mexico.

Wilberger's close friend and would-be BYU roommate Brittany Knight expressed hope Tuesday that the body of her friend would be found now that a suspect is in custody.

"I kind of feel shocked, like I did when I first heard what had happened with the kidnapping," Knight said. "But if it pans out, this is great because it will mean closure for her family and friends. Now I'm waiting with the rest of the world to hear about the details that come out of this development and see what happens."

The Corvallis Police Department has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon.

The Wilberger family was apprised of the recent developments in the case but would not comment when contacted Tuesday by multiple media outlets.

Knight said she had spoken with Wilberger's mother, Cammy.

"What she said rings true for me as well," Knight said. " 'We want justice served.' "

Wilberger disappeared May 24, 2004, in Corvallis, where she was working for family members after completing her freshman year at BYU. She had planned to return to the university last fall and room with Knight and several other friends.

According to a Dec. 2, 2004, report in the Albuquerque Tribune, Courtney was jailed on charges of kidnapping a foreign exchange student at knife point and forcing her into his car. There, he allegedly tied her up with a shoestring and gagged her with clothing before assaulting her, according to the paper, which cited a police report.

Wilberger was 19 when she left BYU in April 2004 to work for her sister and brother-in-law in Corvallis for the summer. She disappeared while cleaning outdoor lighting fixtures at an apartment complex managed by her sister near the Oregon State University campus.

The only items left at the scene were a bucket of soapy water and a pair of flip-flops.