A grizzly scene unfolded in the quiet community of Winchester last week as deputies found a man dead from a possible stab wound. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported that the body was discovered on Monday, April 22 at around 6:54 p.m. at the intersection of Winchester Road and Thompson Road. The deceased has been identified as 29-year-old Boris Stepanyuk of Winchester.
An investigation immediately ensued, with the Riverside County Central Homicide Unit taking the lead. Just hours after the initial discovery, Joseph Mokate, a 60-year-old male resident of Hemet, was detained as the prime suspect in the fatal incident. According to a report from the Sheriff’s Department, Mokate was later arrested and booked for murder at the Cois Byrd Detention Center. It’s not clear what led to Mokate’s arrest or his connection to the victim.
The authorities have confirmed that no other suspects are being sought in this murder investigation, which suggests they believe Mokate acted alone. Members of the community who might have additional information are being encouraged to step forward and contact either Investigator Anderson of the Central Homicide Unit or Investigator Gasparini of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station.
Details about the motive or circumstances of the crime remain sparse as the investigation continues. The statement given by the Sheriff’s Department didn’t include information about what may have preceded the deadly encounter or the nature of the relationship between Mokate and Stepanyuk, if any.
