Man Freed in Wife’s Death on Watercraft

A man arrested on suspicion of killing his wife after a daylong excursion on their personal watercraft was released Monday night without being charged.

Prosecutor Alex “Bud” McMahon said in court that the investigation into the death of Jennifer Easterling, 35, was continuing. He refused to comment further.

Corbin Easterling, 35, was arrested Thursday after an autopsy revealed that his wife had been assaulted.

Defense lawyer Vincent Maher said he had no doubt his client was not guilty.

“On Tuesday, his wife died. On Thursday, he was arrested. Today, he was released,” he said. “It’s been a roller coaster.”

Easterling said nothing in court. He appeared disheveled and used a wheelchair because of a foot injury.

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Edmonds said he disagreed with the district attorney’s decision not to prosecute, but said he was optimistic that charges would be filed later.

Edmonds said an autopsy revealed Jennifer Easterling died of manual suffocation and drowning.

“There were two people in the water and one of them is dead, so our suspect pool is very small,” Edmonds said, adding that Easterling also had “a great deal of bruising” on her body.

Corbin Easterling had said the two were out on San Pablo Bay about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco when their personal watercraft got stuck in mud.

A fire reportedly started, and the couple were left clinging to the craft overnight. Easterling said he dozed off and, when he awoke around dawn, his wife was dead.

Rescuers showed up hours later and were unable to revive her.

Edmonds said drugs and alcohol were involved, but neither contributed to Jennifer Easterling’s death. She had also been wearing a life vest, he said.