Homicide confirmed – Victim remains unidentified, after body found in burning car

July 21, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.

See Original Story below.

THERMAL, Calif. — Authorities say a suspicious death investigation has been changed to a homicide investigation after a man’s body was discovered in a burning vehicle in Thermal early Saturday morning, July 18.

The man’s murder was the first of three suspicious deaths to rock the east valley over the last four days. Based on the ongoing investigations, one of the other suspicious death investigations has since been changed to a homicide investigation.

The second murder investigation began when a man’s body was found in the area of Fillmore St. and Ave. 78, Tuesday, July 21. The other suspicious death investigation began earlier today when a body was found in the area of Ave. 49 and Calle Abelia, in Coachella.

Officials have not said if any of the murders might be related and no suspects have been arrested in any of the three ongoing investigations.

SEE RELATED:
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UPDATE: Third death in four days rocks east valley – Victim ID’d

The vehicle where the man’s body was discovered was found burning in the area of Pierce St., south of Airport Blvd. The fire was originally reported around 1:45 a.m.

Central Homicide Unit investigators have been assigned to investigate the murder, which had originally been classified as a suspicious death.

“On July 20, the post mortem examination was conducted at the Coroner’s Office in Indio,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez said after the examination; saying, “There was evidence of homicidal violence found and this case will now be investigated as a homicide.

“The victim was a male, whose identity has not yet been confirmed,” continued Ramirez.

Officials have not specified where in the burning vehicle the victim’s body was located or how the man died, and citing their ongoing investigation have declined to provide any further information.

Anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Mendoza at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number C202000005 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Crime Tips online form.

Original Story: Investigation underway after body found in burning vehicle

THERMAL, Calif. — Authorities say they are conducting a suspicious death investigation after firefighters discovered a body inside a vehicle that burned in Thermal early Saturday morning, July 18.

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Deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were summoned to the area of Pierce St., south of Airport Blvd., by Cal Fire around 2:20 a.m., after firefighters extinguished a car fire and discovered a body inside the vehicle, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez.

The fire was originally reported around 1:45 a.m.

When deputies arrived they established a crime scene, at which time Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators responded and assumed the investigation.

The victim’s name has not yet been released, pending positive identification and notification of the victim’s family.

“This is an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time,” said Ramirez.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 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 16 grandchildren.