UPDATE: Officials seeking info after botched Menifee home invasion and murder

UPDATED: Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m.

MENIFEE — Despite the passing of six months, authorities are asking for help in resolving an unsolved investigation into a deadly, early morning home invasion robbery that ended with the brutal murder of a Menifee resident.

Based on their investigation and evidence recovered at the scene, officials believe the fatal incident was possibly a botched robbery related to a “large amount of marijuana” found on the victim’s property.

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Authorities began investigating the murder of Silvano Gutierrez Esteves, 43, of Menifee, after he was found deceased inside his Menifee home last January.

During their investigation officials interviewed area residents who described seeing “several male suspects fleeing from the property after the homicide,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Walter Mendez disclosed today in an updated press release regarding Menifee PD’s ongoing homicide investigation.

The Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit is requesting the public’s assistance and ask that if you have any information on this case to please contact Investigator Joshua Manjarrez at (760) 393-3530.

Callers can refer to incident file number ME180360002 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form or through the Riverside Sheriff’s Department tip line at (951) 955-2777

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Officials investigating early morning murder at home

MENIFEE — Very few details have been released after officials began investigating the murder of a man who was found dead inside a Menifee home, early Monday morning, Feb. 5.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Menifee Police Station were dispatched to a home on the 27700 block of Monroe Avenue about 12:48 a.m., after receiving a report of an “assault with a deadly weapon,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Walter Mendez explained in a press release.

When deputies arrived they found the lifeless body of a man inside the home, according to Mendez. Officials have not released the man’s name or any other information about the victim, pending notification of his family.

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Perris Station and Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Citing the ongoing investigation, Mendez explained, “There is no suspect information available at this time and no additional details will be released.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Joshua Manjarrez of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3530 or Investigator Cassie Pemberton of the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number ME180360002 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, 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.