JURUPA VALLEY – Sheriff’s Department investigating possible New Year’s Eve murder-suicide
Trevor Montgomery
JURUPA VALLEY – Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Jurupa Station are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31.
At approximately 11:50 p.m., deputies received the report of a missing person. The family of 23-year-old Cindy Cadena became concerned when Cadena failed to return from a visit with her former boyfriend, identified as 25-year-old Ronnie Lejak of Jurupa Valley.
Family members described to deputies the couple had a long history of domestic violence and expressed concern for Cadena’s safety.
Area of Thursday’s murder-suicide in Jurupa Valley. Click image to enlarge view.
Following investigative leads, deputies checked an undeveloped hilltop area near Lakeside Drive in Jurupa Valley. Deputies located a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle associated with the incident. Upon closer inspection, deputies discovered two people inside the vehicle. Both were determined to be dead at the scene.
Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, with assistance from Jurupa Valley investigators.
The deceased were later confirmed to be Cadena and Lejak. Court records indicated the couple had a long legal history with restraining orders, allegations of child abuse and child abuse convictions between them.
According to Sergeant Wallace Clear, “This incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide, and no others are currently considered to be involved.” It has not yet been released which of the pair committed the murder-suicide.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Investigator Posson at the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Pierson at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV153650147 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
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What an absolute shame.