Details:
On August 24, 2021, about 5:58 PM, Southwest Station Deputies were dispatched to a call of an unresponsive male adult in the 30000 block of Benton Street, Winchester. Upon deputies’ arrival, it was determined a 27 year old adult male was deceased. Through extensive investigation by investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit, it was determined the decedent, Ernie Gutierrez, was a victim of homicide due to a Fentanyl overdose. The investigation was worked tirelessly over the next several months and a suspect, Justin Kail, a 31 year old male from Winchester, was determined as being responsible for selling the Fentanyl that killed Gutierrez. On February 11, 2022, Kail was located and taken into custody without incident and booked for Murder.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Cornett at 951-955-1700. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind citizens of the dangers of illicit narcotics many which may contain Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and can cause death or serious bodily harm.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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