CORONA: Mother, toddler found dead, possible murder-suicide, say officers

CORONA — Authorities announced today they are trying to piece together what might have led to the death of a mother and toddler, found deceased and decomposing inside a home in the Norco Hills area. The home on the 700 block of Mandevilla Way, southeast of Hidden Valley Parkway and the 15 Freeway, in Corona.

Officers found the bodies of the pair inside the two-story residence shortly before 12:30 p.m., Sunday afternoon, Sr. Detective Andy Bryant explained in a press release earlier today.

According to Bryant, initial evidence recovered at the scene pointed toward a possible murder-suicide, but officials are waiting for autopsy results to make an official determination. Officials have not released the names or any other information regarding the two subjects, pending further investigation and notification of their family.

Officers responded to the home Mar. 25, when a neighbor called and requested a welfare check after noticing that mail was not being picked up at the home, as well as “other indications that something may be wrong,” said Bryant.

While conducting the welfare check, officers “entered the home and found a woman and a toddler, both deceased,” Bryant explained. “At this time, based on the available evidence, this incident is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.”

Because of the “state of decomposition” of the victims’ bodies, officials believe the pair may have been deceased inside the home “for some time,” said Bryant.

After the discovery detectives, forensic technicians, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s personnel and other officials descended on the normally quiet neighborhood. Throughout the remainder of the day and late into the evening, officials could be seen entering and exiting the home while officials worked to determine what might have led to the tragedy.

Corona PD’s investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to call Sr. Detective Mario Hernandez at (951) 279-3659. Callers can refer to incident file number 18-3226 and can remain anonymous.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.