Oil Field Search Fails to Yield Woman’s Body

Sheriff’s deputies returned to an isolated oil field Thursday to search for the body of a woman reported missing more than 13 months ago by her husband, who has since been charged with her murder.

But after spending nine hours combing the oil field, officials ended the search without finding the body of Lakewood resident Jana Carpenter-Koklich, the 41-year-old daughter of the late state Sen. Paul Carpenter.

She was reported missing April 20, 2001. Her husband, Bruce Koklich, a 43-year-old real estate executive, is scheduled to go on trial next month. He was charged with his wife’s death after traces of her blood were found in their home and in her abandoned sport utility vehicle.

Sheriff’s Lt. Ray Peavy said there were no new leads in the case.