Deputies responded to the 45000 block of Castile Canyon Road around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to a report of a person who had been shot, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Responding deputies found Frankie Ortega of San Jacinto suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.

As of Sunday afternoon no arrests had been made, as investigators were still working to identify the suspect or suspects involved. Anyone with additional information about the case was encouraged to contact Investigator Gonzales at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Siaw at 951-791-3400.

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It was not immediately clear what charges Nick Reiner, 32, would face. A police statement said he was being held without bail and the case will be presented to the district attorney’s office on Tuesday.

Representatives for the Reiner family did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it wasn’t immediately clear if Nick Reiner had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Nick Reiner has spoken publicly of his struggles with addiction. By 18, he had cycled in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness and relapses in between. Rob and Nick Reiner explored their difficult relationship and Nick Reiner’s struggles with drugs in a semi-autobiographical 2016 film, “ Being Charlie.”

Rob and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead Sunday afternoon at their home in Los Angeles, and investigators believe they were stabbed, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official, who was briefed on the investigation, could not publicly discuss the details and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Nick Reiner was arrested Sunday around 9:15 p.m., police said.

Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”

His role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic in Norman Lear’s 1970s TV classic “All in the Family” as a liberal foil to Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.

The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner married photographer Michele Singer Reiner in 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally.” They had three children together: Nick, Jake and Romy.

Reiner told The New York Times in 1989 that the cinematographer on “When Harry Met Sally,” Barry Sonnenfeld, predicted he would marry her. “I look over and I see this girl, and whoo! I was attracted immediately,” Reiner said.

Michele Singer Reiner was a producer for “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” “God & Country,” “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life” and “Shock and Awe,” according to IMDB. Earlier in her career, she photographed the cover image of President Donald Trump’s 1987 bestseller “The Art of the Deal.”

Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a social media post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.

Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said the Reiners’ deaths left them bereft.

“Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” a Lear family statement said. “Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the deaths a devastating loss for the city.

“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”

Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.

Killings are rare in the Brentwood neighborhood. The scene is about a mile from the home where O.J. Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed in 1994.

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The suspects were identified as Kenny Andrew Johnson, 40, of Riverside, and Alonzo Jeffery Monk Jr., 43, of Colton, according to the Riverside Police Department.

On Sept. 29, officers responded to an automotive business in the 2900 block of Orange Street around 4:30 a.m. after a woman said her boyfriend had been shot.

Police found the victim, Horacio Montero Jr., 27, of Riverside, suffering from gunshot wounds inside a trailer. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The suspects fled the scene before authorities arrived. Following an investigation, Johnson was identified as a suspect and arrested a few hours later.

Detectives later determined the shooting was a murder-for-hire case involving a second suspect, Monk Jr. On Oct. 2, he was located and arrested in Colton.

Police believe Johnson conspired with Monk Jr. to have the victim killed; however, the motive behind the murder remains unclear. Police told the Press-Enterprise that they believe Monk was the one who fired the deadly shots.

Both men were arrested for murder and conspiracy to commit murder and are being held without bail.

No further details were released as the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Detective Richard Glover at 951-353-7134 or RGlover@RiversideCA.gov, or Detective Anthony Watkins at 951-353-7105 or AWatkins@RiversideCA.gov.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by using the “Send a Message” feature.

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The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as George Fresquez IV, 35, of Temecula.

Alex Leyva, 39, of Vista, was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of murder in the case of Fresquez’s death, according to authorities.

A deputy on patrol at 11:50 p.m. Saturday found Fresquez unresponsive on Pechanga Parkway near Wolf Valley Road, with injuries consistent with having been hit by a vehicle, authorities said, adding Fresquez died at the scene.

He had been assaulted in the road, left unresponsive and then struck by a southbound vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Leyva was identified as Fresquez’s initial assailant, and the driver who hit Fresquez cooperated with the investigation and was released, authorities said, adding alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call investigators at 951-955-2777 or 951-696-3000, according to authorities.

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A man from Perris was arrested and booked for murder after a welfare check led to the discovery of human remains, Riverside County authorities said. 

According to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department press release, deputies were dispatched to the 2100 block of Glimmer Way in Perris after a welfare check was requested at 9:40 a.m. Friday for a female living at the location. 

“Upon the deputies’ arrival, they located evidence of a homicide,” RSO said.  

After securing the scene, deputies handed the investigation over to the sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit, who found human remains at the residence.  

The decedent was not immediately identified.

Officials later determined the suspect as 44-year-old John Cruthirds. He was later arrested without incident and booked for murder at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Inmate search records indicate his first court appearance will be Tuesday morning.

Anyone who has information surrounding the investigation is asked to contact Investigator Cline or Master Investigator Gilbert by calling 951-955-2777. 

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The victims, whose identities have not been released, were found dead around 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, inside a residence located in the 6600 block of La Habra Avenue in Yucca Valley.

It’s unclear how long the pair had been dead.

The grim discovery was made after “the reporting party arrived at the location and smelled a foul odor coming from the house,” the sheriff’s department said. “Deputies arrived and located two deceased people inside the home.”

Homicide detectives assumed the investigation and concluded the deaths were likely a murder/suicide, according to the sheriff’s department.

“The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy is scheduled for both decedents to determine a cause of death,” the agency said.

If you or someone you know is having a crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

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Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found Monday at a residence on Rancho Villa Road in Ramona, according to a San Diego Sheriff’s Office news release. Deputies responded around 8:58 p.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon and found Marodi with multiple stab wounds.

Marodi was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Homicide detectives are investigating the killing as a potential domestic violence incident and think Marodi knew her killer. The circumstances and motivation of the killing are unknown. Anyone with more information has been asked to contact the San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200.

Marodi started as a volunteer firefighter in 1993 in Moreno Valley and worked as a seasonal firefighter in Riverside and San Bernardino counties from 1994 to 2000, according to Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department. Marodi was a fire apparatus engineer in 2007 and promoted to captain in 2022.

Marodi was among the many firefighters who helped battle the deadly Eaton fire last month, according to an Instagram post.

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Garrett Preston Young, a 48-year-old Aguanga man, was taken into custody Tuesday and taken to the Southwest Detention Center. According to jail records, he will answer multiple felony charges on Thursday at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center and was held on $1 million bail.

On Tuesday, investigators worked leads from the multiple fires set in the 45000 block of State Route 79 and identified Young as a prime suspect, according to Sgt. Lance Stoyer.

“Patrol deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station received the report of a suspicious person near the intersections of California State Route 79 and Highway 371, in the community of Aguanga,” Stoyer said. There, Young was taken into custody by deputies.

Young was booked on multiple felony charges, including murder with malice, owning a homemade zip gun, and additional arson-related charges.

The identity of the deceased victim will not be released pending next-of-kin notifications.

This investigation is ongoing; however, no additional suspects are being sought. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Investigator T. Gilbert with the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-1777 or Investigator R. Martinez with the Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400.

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A Jan. 10 trial date was scheduled Friday for a 23- year-old probationer accused of fatally beating a Riverside senior after breaking into her home.

Sixto Jesus Garcia Pena of Palm Springs was arrested in 2021 following a Riverside Police Department investigation into the slaying of 78-year-old Denise Irene Wong.

Pena is charged with first-degree murder, as well as special- circumstance allegations of killing in the commission of a robbery, killing in the commission of a burglary and inflicting torture.

Prosecutors intend to seek capital punishment if the defendant is convicted.

During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding future proceedings, and both sides agreed to be prepared to move forward with trial at the beginning of next year.

An intervening hearing is set for Oct. 25 to confirm everything is on track.

Pena is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Pena was located in mid-January 2021 at the Imperial County Jail, where he was awaiting adjudication of an unrelated attempted vehicle theft case, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Riverside police detectives served an arrest warrant there, then transferred him to the downtown Riverside jail.

According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, Pena allegedly killed Wong in her single-story house in the 1200 block of East Manfield Street, near Masters Avenue, on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Denise was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and a good and kind person,” police Chief Larry Gonzalez said after Pena’s arrest.

The victim had been a resident of the city for five decades.

Patrol officers were called to her home that evening after her loved ones requested a welfare check because she hadn’t responded to phone calls. She was found dead from injuries inflicted a few hours earlier, Railsback said.

He alleged Pena accessed the residence by breaking a rear window.

“Officers observed some items … out of place and consistent with a burglary,” the police spokesman said, adding that the victim’s car had been stolen.

Detectives confirmed the sedan was involved in a hit-and-run collision in Indio a few hours after the alleged break-in.

Indio police impounded the abandoned vehicle, and homicide investigators went to the impound yard, collecting evidence from the car that helped them identify Pena as the alleged assailant, Railsback said.

Three days later, with the help of the county’s Gang Impact Team, they confirmed Pena had been arrested in Imperial County, and arrangements were made for his transfer.

According to court records, Pena has prior convictions for child abuse, auto theft and receiving stolen property.

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COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — An investigation into a 16-year-old boy’s slaying remains open after the child was found dead 12 months ago in Coachella.

With a year gone by, investigators are once again asking the public to provide any information that might lead to Joseph Aroz’s killer.

“Extensive investigative efforts have been made over the past year, but the suspect in this incident has not been identified,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

At about 9:07 p.m. Aug. 20, 2023, Thermal Sheriff’s Station deputies were called to the 53500 block of Cesar Chavez Street. There they found Aroz. He had gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s office has maintained that Aroz was murdered. A possible motive in the case has not been disclosed.

The slaying occurred amid Tropical Storm Hilary, when officials were scrambling to rescue Coachella Valley residents from significant flooding and provide resources to victims whose homes were inundated with mud and water. Many desert roads were closed due to flooding and damage.

In the days following his death, Aroz’s family spoke to local media.

According to a KESQ report, Aroz was gunned down just outside his family’s home. A neighbor heard gunshots, but a suspect was never found.

The boy was one of eight children in his family, the news outlet reported.

A GoFundMe page that was launched to help pay for Aroz’s memorial and funeral expenses includes photos of a boy with short brown hair and brown eyes.

“… he was only 16 years old,” the page reads. “Jojo was loved by all of us, by so many … our world will never be the same.”

Investigators continue to seek answers for the family.

“The Riverside Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit is requesting the public’s assistance in solving this case,” the agency said Tuesday.

Anyone with information who can help identify the individual(s) responsible for Aroz’s killing is asked to contact Investigator D. Brown or Investigator V. Magana at 951-955-2777 or by email. Information can also be submitted through the Sheriff’s Office Online Tip Form.

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