Coroner Delays Releasing Cause of Death for 'Bridalplasty' Star, San Pedro Woman

SAN PEDRO, CA -- The Los Angeles Coroner's Office has delayed releasing the cause of death for a former reality TV star and Culver City nursing instruction.

Lisa Marie Naegle, 36, was allegedly killed by her student and purported lover, Jackie Jerome Rogers, 34. Her body was found in a shallow grave at his home in Lennox. Naegle was contestant on the E! Entertainment Television series "Bridalplasty" in 2010.

Her official cause of death was listed as deferred, meaning there was an additional investigation pending.

The San Pedro woman went missing after leaving a party Dec. 18 at Alpine Village, a German restaurant in Torrance, and a missing persons report was filed by her family on Dec. 19.

Naegle's body was found Dec. 20, and Rogers, a nursing student who accompanied Naegle to the party but initially claimed he left without her, was later arrested on suspicion of murder, said Los Angeles police Detective Meghan Aguilar.

Police and coroner's officials searched Rogers' home in the 5000 block of West 106th Street and recovered Naegle's body some time after 4 p.m. Dec. 20, according to the LAPD. Rogers told investigators where to find the body, police said.

Rogers could face up to 26 years to life in state prison if convicted of Naegle's killing, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

According to Naegle's husband, Derek Harryman, his wife called him around 2:45 a.m. Sunday and said she was leaving the party but stopping to get something to eat on the way. She never came home. She also failed to show up for nursing classes she teaches at West Los Angeles College.

Naegle's relatives said she went to the party with one of her nursing students, but he repeatedly told the family he did not leave the party with her.

The website TMZ.com reported that Naegle was struck repeatedly with a hammer after she and Rogers went to a Jack in the Box restaurant. TMZ also reported that Naegle and Rogers were romantically involved, but Naegle informed Rogers she was breaking up with him to be with her husband -- leading to the killing.

One of Naegle's relatives suggested that Naegle spurned Rogers' romantic advances.

-- City News Service contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the LAPD