‘SNL’ writer Jimmy Fowlie’s sister missing months found dead, probed as homicide

'Our prayers for her to be found safely have transformed into prayers for the truth to be revealed'

Published Apr 30, 2026  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  2 minute read

Jimmy Fowlie and his sister Christina Lynn Downer. Photo by Instagram

“Saturday Night Live” writer Jimmy Fowlie has revealed that his sister, Christina Lynn Downer, has been found dead, some four months after she was reported missing.

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Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

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Downer, 38, was first reported missing by the Los Angeles Police Department in December.

Her phone and social media compromised

In a lengthy Instagram post, Fowlie said the LAPD had informed his family that his sister was “no longer alive” and that the missing person case had moved to a homicide investigation.

“Our prayers for her to be found safely have transformed into prayers for the truth to be revealed and for those responsible to be held accountable,” wrote Fowlie in the post Wednesday.

The television writer said he and his family believe Downer’s phone and social media were compromised in the weeks before she went missing. He said the person who has her phone had been using it to hide “the fact she was gone, to ask for money, and to create a false narrative that she was going ‘off the grid.'”

“I am sharing this because I believe that whoever is responsible is hoping to erase her in every way possible,” he wrote, per People.

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“I want to amplify her story in the only way I know how. And to express that she was a beautiful person who matters in this world, especially to me,” he concluded. “I also believe there is a chance that someone who knows something might find the courage to step forward. My sister can no longer advocate for herself, but I can and I hope you will too.”

Fowlie thanked his followers and said the best way to support him is to share his post and talk about Downer’s story. The post also included pictures of Downer as a child and adult, including several with her brother.

Lynn Downie. (Instagram)

Fowlie has been sharing her story in posts

The SNL writer first revealed his sister had disappeared in an Instagram post from Dec. 22.

“My sister has been missing and we are worried that she isn’t safe,” Fowlie captioned the post, alongside a missing person poster. “Her married name is Downer but she may go by Christina Fowlie. Please share this so that if anyone has seen her, they can give any information to the police.”

Subsequent posts from Fowlie provided more detailed information about his missing sister, including her final whereabouts. In a Dec. 27 post, he said Downer was last seen in Koreatown, and that he last heard from her on Nov. 26, and she was last active on social media on Dec. 15.

Updates continued over the next few months. In a post from Sunday, Fowlie said he thought about his sister daily. He encouraged anyone with information to contact the LAPD.

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