Happy Childhood Marred By Tragedy

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The Miner family in happier times.

As a child, Kristin Miner was surrounded by a loving family, flanked by an older brother she adored and a little sister she looked after. 

Growing up in the seaside Orange County, Calif. town of Laguna Beach, Kristin excelled in the classroom and was a volleyball star. Often times, her family says she could be found catching waves on her pink longboard.

But in 1983 Kristin Miner's family was hit by a tragedy: the death of her only brother.

Family members say it was something from which Kristin, then 19, never recovered. Those close to Kristin say she always talked about her brother and how her life would've been different if that heartbreaking event had never happened.

Years went by, and Kristin moved away from the ocean to a desert community near Palm Desert, Calif. called Sky Valley. Police say it was there that she met Edward LeBlanc.

A Murder In The Desert

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Cops in Riverside County, Calif. say Edward Lee LeBlanc murdered Kristin Miner in Feb. 2008.

Family members tell AMW that in 2007 Kristen fell on tough times while living in Sky Valley. Friends say that LeBlanc and Kristin were just friends, but LeBlanc soon moved onto the property where Kristin lived in an RV.

Arguments over money strained their relationship, and police say LeBlanc told friends that he was going to rob Kristin.

On Feb. 12, 2008, Kristin had enough of living near LeBlanc and decided to move her trailer 15 miles away to a friend's property.

She asked LeBlanc to help her with the move, and cops say that was when LeBlanc made his move.

Witnesses say LeBlanc cut Kristin across the stomach with a knife, forced her into her car and drove away. That was the last anyone saw Kristin until her body was recovered.

Police believe LeBlanc could still be in Riverside County, Calif., or may have fled the country.

Edward LeBlanc has two distinct tattoos: one of the yin and yang symbol on his right shoulder, and the name "Jasmine Shek" on his right side of his chest.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Edward Lee LeBlanc, please call our hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV.