Woman found dead in DHS a mother, beloved friend

There is new information on a woman found dead in Desert Hot Springs nearly two weeks ago.

Police are investigating the death of 28-year old Stephanie Dixon as a suspicious death, but are releasing very few details as to what happened.

Now Dixon’s friend is speaking out about the life she was living in hopes someone will come forward with some answers.

“Somehow her life was taken from her right when she was getting it all together and loving her life,” said Corbie Maxwell.

Maxwell met Dixon in Desert Hot Springs in March. They both were voluntarily attending a treatment center for drugs and alcohol.

“We wanted to better our lives and better ourselves,” said Maxwell. “She was so cute, she had these red pigtails, real bright red hair, beautiful big smile and she was happy to be there. She was happy that she was going to get her life on track.”

Maxwell said after treatment she saw Dixon regularly at meetings working her 12-step program.

“Even though it was a distance to get there for her, she was managing to get to alumni meetings, get to meetings in her area. She was excited about her new life,” said Maxwell. “She felt healthy and clean like she was getting a second chance.”

Desert Hot Springs police said Dixon was found the morning of Sunday Aug. 30th in Mission Creek Wash. That is near Mission Creek Road, east of Indian Avenue. Police are investigating her death as suspicious, but have not released any details as to how she may have died.

“I think there was foul play involved in Stephanie’s death, I really do,” said Maxwell.

Maxwell last saw her a couple weeks earlier at a recovery meeting.

“She was very excited about the meetings she was going to up in Morongo Valley and very excited about some new people she had met,” said Maxwell.

On her Facebook page, Dixon wrote about recently getting a new job. Maxwell told us Dixon was even reaching out to help other people with their addiction.

“She was not a prostitute, she was not out there dealing or trying to get drugs that I know of. She was a mom, she was a wife, and somebody’s daughter,” said Maxwell. “She’s a human being. She is not a throwaway. None of us are.”

If you have any information about what happened to Stephanie Dixon, contact Desert Hot Springs police or call Valley Crime Stoppers at 760 341-stop. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.