Woman Found Dead Near Camarillo Was Pregnant

A 22-year-old Kern County woman who was found shot to death along with her husband near Cal State Channel Islands over the weekend was pregnant, authorities revealed Monday as they continued to search for the couple’s killers.

Cynthia J. Jordan and her husband, Alexander Lee Jordan, 24, were found shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday in a clearing off Potrero Road, just west of the campus near Camarillo, authorities said. Both were shot in the head.

The couple, who were residents of Taft, were not students. Cynthia, who relatives said married in 1999 and had been trying to have children for years, was in “a very early stage of pregnancy,” according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and coroner’s office.

The Jordans’ white 2003 Chevrolet Impala was recovered Monday morning in the county, said Eric Nishimoto, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department. No details about the car were released.

Family members said the couple had dated since junior high school and described them as both hard-working and fun-loving. Both were graduates of Taft Union High School, Alexander in June 1999 and Cynthia in January 2000. They were in the process of remodeling a three-bedroom home they had purchased a year ago.

Relatives said Cynthia had given up her cashier’s job at a local grocery last fall and was considering seeing a fertility specialist.

“They had been trying to have children since they were married,” said Bob Jordan, Alexander’s father. “The coroner revealed that she was just barely pregnant and she didn’t know it yet when they were murdered.”

The elder Jordan said he suspects the couple, who often took weekend getaways out of the area, were victims of car thieves.

“There was absolutely no reason for murder. They’re both outside the car, [the suspects] could have drove off.”

He added that Alexander still had his wallet and credit cards, though his cellphone and Cynthia’s purse were missing.

Bob Jordan spoke affectionately of his son, who he said “was never afraid in public to put his arms around his dad, kiss him and say, ‘Daddy, I love you.’ ”

Steven Schulz, Cynthia’s oldest brother, said his sister loved Alexander dearly and was very close to her mother, either stopping by to visit or calling every day.

He said he considered his brother-in-law, who worked in maintenance for Eco Water Resources in Taft, to be a role model and that the pair would be missed “by everyone in this community.”

Schulz said his sister had joined him in a 13-hour effort to replace their parents’ living room carpet on Friday. Alexander and several friends had helped later in the day.

The Jordans were last seen by Cynthia’s mother, Cynthia Schulz, Saturday morning before they drove to Ventura County, Steve Schulz said, adding that -- as was customary -- his sister had phoned her mother after arriving to tell her they were safe.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Department are still seeking clues in the case. Anyone who saw the Jordans’ Impala, license number 5EXV233, over the weekend is encouraged to call (805) 654-2311. Authorities are looking for two male suspects.

Bob Jordan also made a plea for help.

“If you saw anything, or if you think you saw anything, please contact Ventura County sheriff, because that might prevent your son or daughter from being the next victim,” he said.

The couple’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Westside Cemetery in Taft. In lieu of flowers, Bob Jordan is suggesting a donation to the state’s Victims of Violent Crimes program, P.O. Box 3036, Sacramento, CA 95812-3036

“My prayer is that the people are blessed who are doing the investigation. And we don’t blame the families of the killers; the individuals, yes. We just want to stop this from happening again,” he said.