UPDATE: Wanted after Moreno Valley murder, man kills self

October 31, 2019 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m.

See original story below.

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities investigating the Moreno Valley murder of a Portsmouth, Virginia woman announced yesterday that the alleged suspect has been found after committing suicide. Last week’s deadly shooting happened at a private Moreno Valley residence on the 12000 Block of Lee St., early Wednesday morning, Oct. 30.

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Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station began investigating last Wednesday’s murder around 1:25 a.m., after receiving reports of shots fired and finding the victim deceased at the home, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Thurm reported after the deadly incident.

During their investigation, officials identified 36-year-old, Aravon McCalla, of Santa Monica, as the man responsible for killing Ruth Cortes, 40.

As their investigation was getting underway McCalla’s body was found in the hills east of the 12000 block of Scotch Lane, in Loma Linda.

“McCalla sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Thurm.

The sheriff’s investigation into why McCalla killed Cortes is ongoing.

Original Story: Santa Monica man sought after Moreno Valley murder

UPDATED: Thursday, Oct. 31, With coroner’s release of information.

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities are continuing to search for a man they say shot and killed a woman at a private Moreno Valley residence early Wednesday morning, Oct. 30. Although the alleged suspect has been identified by sheriff’s officials investigating the woman’s murder they say he has not yet been located or apprehended. However, they have also said they do not feel there is any threat to the public “at this time.”

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Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the 12000 Block of Lee St.around 1:25 a.m., after receiving reports of shots fired, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Thurm reported after the deadly incident.

When deputies arrived they found a woman down in the driveway of a residence, according to Thurm; who said the victim had already succumbed to her injuries and passed away at the scene.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials later identified the victim as Ruth Cortes, 40, of Portsmouth, Virginia. A coroner’s release indicated the victim was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m.

Moreno Valley Station and Central Homicide Unit investigators responded to the scene and assumed the murder investigation.

During the course of their investigation officials identified Aravon McCalla, 36, of Santa Monica, as a suspect in the fatal shooting, according to Thurm.

“There are no other suspects involved in this homicide and while McCalla is not yet in custody, there is no danger to the public at this time,” said the Sgt.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Barajas at (951) 955-2777, or Moreno Valley Station Investigator Allen at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV193030009 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

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, 48, 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 or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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.