UPDATE: La Quinta couple identified after apparent murder-suicide

UPDATED: Wednesday, Jan 9, 12 p.m.

See original story below.

LA QUINTA — Officials today released more details and information after last Monday’s discovery of two deceased individuals at a La Quinta residence in the 79700 block of Independence Way near Monticello Ave.

Based on their ongoing investigation, officials are now investigating the incident as a murder-suicide and have called the shootings an isolated incident, saying, “There are no outstanding suspects, and no threat to public safety.”

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Deputies assigned to the La Quinta Police Department were initially dispatched to the residence about 9 a.m., after a witness called 911 to report having found the lifeless body of a deceased woman in the back yard of the home, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Brosche explained earlier today in a written press release.

When deputies arrived, they “located a female on the property with a fatal gunshot wound,” according to Brosche. Deputies also soon located “a deceased male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside of the residence.”

Brosche and Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have identified 44-year-old, Ada Heintz, and her husband, 59-year-old, Herman Heintz, as the pair whose bodies were found at the home.

Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit and Thermal Sheriff Station investigators have assumed the investigation, which is active and ongoing.

As the investigation was continuing, family members of the deceased were seen canvassing the neighborhood, putting up signs while searching for a small white dog that was missing from the home where the deadly incident occurred. The blind and missing dog named George had not been located as of last night.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Paz of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number LA190070020 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

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Original story: BREAKING: Officials investigating after bodies found behind La Quinta home

LA QUINTA — Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found at a La Quinta home this morning, Monday, Jan. 7. Officials remain at the scene of their ongoing investigation in the 79700 block of Independence Way near Monticello Ave.

Sheriff’s officials investigating the discovery have not yet said if foul play is suspected in the deaths of the man and woman, but have stressed that “there is no threat to public safety as a result of this incident.” In an effort to calm area residents, La Quinta PD later posted on social media, “There is no danger to our residents. We are not looking for anyone.”

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Deputies assigned to La Quinta PD were first alerted to the deaths around 9 a.m., when an area resident called 911 to report seeing the body of a woman lying on the ground behind the residence, according to a Patch report.

When deputies arrived they found the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman. Both were declared deceased at the scene.

“Officers located two deceased persons, one adult male and one adult female at the rear of the residence,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. “At this time, investigators from the La Quinta Police Department have responded and assumed the investigation.”

Neither of the victims has been identified publicly, pending further investigation and notification of their families.

As the investigation was getting underway, officials closed Independence Way at Monticello Ave., but residents who live on Independence Way were still being allowed to come and go unimpeded.

Citing their ongoing investigation, officials have not released any further details, but were expected to put out a press release once enough information has been gathered.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.