A California man accused of secretly recording guests at his upscale vacation rental has been found dead months after his arrest, authorities confirmed. Christian Parmalee Edwards, 44, was discovered inside a home in Oakhurst, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies responded to the residence on Granite Butte Way after someone reported finding his body. Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Investigators have not released his cause of death, but they do not suspect foul play.
The discovery follows a disturbing investigation that began in March, when detectives with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant at the property.
According to authorities, the search allegedly uncovered more than 4,000 digital files containing child sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 material.
Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue said at the time that Edwards was watching his most recent video as detectives arrived to serve the warrant. Investigators also reported finding a life-like child doll designed for sexual use with its hands bound, along with children’s clothing.
Edwards was also accused of using the home as a short-term vacation rental while allegedly recording guests during private moments.
Court documents claim he filmed women and children in the lower level of the residence, including at least one unclothed child, and even attempted to record renters through window blinds from outside the home.
Edwards was released in April after posting the $75,000 bail set in his case. He was facing one felony count of possession of child sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 material at the time of his death.
With his passing, the case takes an unexpected turn. What happens to the investigation now?
