Murder in Murrieta: Woman found dead, unidentified male passed out next to her
Murrieta, California - On Monday March 19 2007 at approx. 1115am, Murrieta police officers responded to the Sonoma at Mapleton apartment complex regarding a check the welfare on a female resident of the complex. The reporting person was an acquaintance of the victim who had a phone conversation with the victim before 1000am from a location outside Riverside County. The reporting person heard the victim yelling in fear as though she may have been confronted by someone, then the phone was disconnected. When the victim did not report for work at 1000 hours, the reporting person was concerned enough to drive to her apartment. With the assistance of the apartment management, entry was made inside the apartment. The female victim was found on the floor inside the master bedroom of the apartment with another unidentified male on top of her body. Both the male and female were found to be unclothed.
The decedant is described as a 34 year old Hispanic female. The other unidentified male is described as a male African-American in his late 30s.
Murrieta police were then called and made entry into the apartment and found signs of a struggle inside the apartment. The female was pronounced dead at the scene by Murrieta Fire Department paramedics. The male was found to be unconscious and incoherent and was transported by ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center and remains in guarded condition.
The relationship between the male and decedant remains unknown at this time and is still under investigation, and the male remains person of interest in the investigation. A vehicle believed to belong to the male was found in the parking lot of the complex and is being processed for potential evidentiary value.
The cause of death or the possibility of sexual assault remains under investigation and an autopsy is scheduled for 0900 hours on 03/20/2007. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Jim Ganley at 951-461-6361.