Alta Sierra, CA – A “creepy” comment made by Alta Sierra/Shirley Meadows Ski Resort employee Carl Woolwine about a co-worker led to his murder on October 10, charging documents related to three suspects who have been arrested indicate.

The body of Woolwine, 50, of Kernville, Calif., was found on Tuesday buried in a shallow grave dug at the ski area.  An autopsy conducted Wednesday by the Kern County Coroner determined the cause of death as a gunshot wound.

Woolwine, the three suspects and an unidentified witness were all working at the ski area to prepare the resort for the winter season. Kern County Sheriff’s Office investigators indicate that speaking of colleague Jean Noble, 34, of Bakersfield, Calif., Woolwine told the witness that he “wanted to watch her work.” The witness relayed Woolwine’s comment to Noble’s boyfriend, Thomas Ertz, 28, also of Bakersfield. Ertz and Noble’s boss, Bobbie Rhynes, 43, of nearby South Lake, Calif., allegedly became enraged and lured Woolwine to his death in one of the ski resort’s maintenance buildings. According to the witness, who heard a single gunshot, Ertz indicated that Rhynes pulled the trigger.

Rhynes is facing first-degree murder charges, while Ertz and Noble have been charged with accessory to murder.  The charging documents indicate that Noble and Ertz both admitted to investigators that they helped Rhynes dispose of Woolwine’s body. All three are being held in the Kern County Jail without bail.

In an interview with KBAK-TV of Bakersfield, Noble — who acknowledges the inappropriate comments allegedly made by Woolwine — admits to helping dispose of the body after Rhynes dug a grave with a backhoe, but denies any role in the killing.

“They were just joking around about firing him, and kicking his butt,” Noble said. “And then Bob said, ‘Well, I’ll just shoot him.’ … I thought he was joking. I didn’t think he would ever, ever do something like that.”