HEMET: Woman’s death “being treated as a homicide,” officials confirm

HEMET – Hemet Police officials confirmed they are investigating the death of a 58-year-old Hemet resident as a homicide. The woman was found dead inside her own residence in the 200 block of South Yale Street in Hemet Monday, Feb. 6. The residence is located south of Florida Avenue and north of Acacia Avenue.

Officials have identified the victim as Lori Lovato.

The investigation began about 9:30 a.m., after a “concerned family member” found Lovato’s body and called 911 to report the woman’s death, according to Hemet Police Lieutenant Eddie Pust.

“The family member responded to the woman’s address after she had not been seen or heard from for a couple days,” Pust explained. Officers were initially sent to the residence to investigate what Pust described as a “suspicious death.”

When officers arrived they found “evidence at the scene indicating foul play,” according to Pust. Officers immediately secured the crime scene and cordoned off the area. Pust did not specify what evidence was located nor did he explain why or how the evidence indicated foul play.

Based on the circumstances and evidence located and collected at the scene, the Hemet Police Investigations Bureau was summoned to the location and assumed the investigation.

Crime scene technicians could be seen coming and going from the residence throughout the day and evening as they documented, photographed, and collected evidence. Detectives, and other officials were seen taking notes and discussing the investigation.

“This investigation is ongoing and is being treated as a homicide until further information is determined from the autopsy,” said Pust.

Anyone with information about Lovato’s death is encouraged to contact Hemet Police Investigator Doug Klinzing at (951) 765-2423. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.