Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner: Man, Joseph C. Roberts, Accused of Dismembering Girlfriend in Shocking Murder Case

In a shocking murder case from the suburbs of San Francisco, a man named Joseph C. Roberts, aged 42, has been accused of killing his longtime girlfriend and onetime fiancée, Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner, aged 27, and subsequently dismembering her body. 

The case took a gruesome turn when Buckner's bagged remains were found washed up near the Bay Farm Island Bridge in Alameda in late July. Roberts was arrested and charged by the Alameda Police Department in early September, following the identification of the human remains found in plastic bags sealed with duct tape. 

A three-day preliminary hearing recently uncovered evidence leading to the decision to proceed to trial.

During the hearing, it was revealed that the carpets in the couple's apartment had been removed, leaving only the carpet padding, indicating recent changes in the unit. Additionally, a dog trained to detect blood, decaying tissue, and bones alerted to certain areas in the apartment, including the kitchen, hallway, and bathroom. 

Possible blood marks were found in the bathroom. Buckner's body was discovered, but her head, hands, and feet were missing. The police arrested Roberts after DNA testing linked him to the victim's remains, as his DNA was found on the tape that wrapped her body.

Roberts' attorney argued that there was no evidence of a homicide, while the prosecution contended that the presence of the defendant's DNA on the tape indicated foul play. 

The case is set to proceed to trial, with Roberts facing serious charges.

Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner was a young mother and spoken word poet who met Roberts while attending San Francisco's Golden Gate University School of Law. Their relationship was marked by turmoil, and in 2022, they were accused of breaking into a residence owned by Buckner's family and assaulting her relatives.

Before this tragic incident, Roberts gained national attention as a cause célèbre for the Trump administration's efforts to challenge the #MeToo movement. 

He was portrayed as a man falsely accused of sexual harassment and became a vocal advocate for due process. Despite his controversial background, Roberts was elected to serve on the San Francisco Republican Party County Central Committee.

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