Family waits as court delays continue in Willows homicide case
WILLOWS, CA (MPG) – Caitlyn Marie Murphy-Corona built her life around family, work and a path toward helping others.
Raised in Arbuckle after being born May 15, 1996, in Vallejo, she spent her early years in 4-H and FFA, raising animals and staying active in sports. Friends and family remember her as energetic and committed, whether on a softball field or working toward her future.
In recent years, she lived in Willows, where she worked in the medical field and pursued her EMT certification. She balanced that work with raising three young children, often taking on multiple jobs to support them, according to her family.
That life ended March 17, 2024.
Just before 7 a.m. that Sunday, Glenn County first responders were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 600 block of North Humboldt Avenue in Willows on a report of a stabbing. Murphy Corona was transported to Glenn Medical Center, where she died from multiple stab wounds, according to the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office.
Later that morning, at about 9:48 a.m., authorities arrested Joseph Ryan Corona, then 29, at a relative’s home in the Arbuckle-College City area. He was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on a murder charge.
Caitlyn and Joseph Ryan Corona were separated at the time of her death.
According to court records, prosecutors charged Corona with murder under Penal Code 187(a), along with allegations of domestic violence causing great bodily injury and use of a deadly weapon. He entered a not guilty plea March 22, 2024, and denied the additional allegations.
For Caitlyn’s family, the case has moved slowly through the court system, marked by repeated delays tied to mental competency proceedings.
“My daughter was murdered here in Willows, California, in her apartment, by her husband, with her then 11-month-old son and a good friend in the apartment with her at the time,” said Adrian Murphy. “We have been doing court proceedings for over two years now. It continues to get delayed.”
Adrian Murphy said the defendant has repeatedly claimed incompetence to stand trial, prompting additional evaluations and postponements.
“They find him competent, but every time that is found we have to go through all of this again,” she said. “We just want them to see through his lies.”
She also described a history of abuse during the relationship, saying her daughter endured it for years.
Court records show a mental competency hearing was held July 17, 2024, with the preliminary hearing continued. A petition for writ of habeas corpus was filed March 12, 2025, challenging the legality of the defendant’s custody.
Several preliminary hearings have been scheduled and continued through May, July and December 2025, and again in February and March 2026.
On April 17, 2026, the court was set to hear the results of a competency evaluation. The report had not been provided to the defense, and the defense attorney requested to be relieved as counsel, citing mounting costs. Glenn County Superior Court Judge Donald Cole Byrd continued the matter.
At an April 24 hearing, District Attorney Dwayne R. Stewart said additional information was needed by the evaluating doctor after reviewing the report. He requested a contested hearing.
The court set the hearing for May 8 at 8:30 a.m. at the Glenn County Courthouse. At that time, the court is expected to decide whether the matter will proceed as a court or jury trial to contest the doctor’s findings.
As the case continues, Caitlyn’s family returns to court with the same goal.
“We just want justice,” Adrian Murphy said.