Pair to stand trial in disappearance, death of Cabazon man

A probationer and his cohort accused of killing a 31-year-old Cabazon man whose remains still haven't been located must stand trial for murder, a judge ruled today.

Richard Eugene Seevers, 59, of Banning and Frank Edward Mansfield, 48, of Cabazon were arrested last August following a two-year Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into the disappearance and death of Dillon Entler.

Following a preliminary hearing Wednesday at the Banning Justice Center, Superior Court Judge Rene Navarro found there was sufficient evidence to bound both defendants over for trial on the murder count.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for March 27.   

Seevers and Mansfield are each being held in lieu of $1 million bail -- Seevers at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, Mansfield at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Steve Brosche, Entler was reported missing by family in August 2021, after no one had seen him for three days.   

"Evidence was obtained showing Entler was likely deceased and the victim of a homicide,'' Brosche said. "Investigators with the Central Homicide Unit were notified and began working the case as a no-body homicide."  

Clues were gathered over the ensuing 24 months pointing to Mansfield and Seevers as the alleged perpetrators behind the victim's disappearance and death, according to the sergeant.  

A possible motive was not disclosed.   

Arrest warrants were served on the defendants in early August 2023, when both were taken into custody without incident.   

"Entler's remains have still not been located, despite numerous attempts by law enforcement and volunteers,'' Brosche said.   

Court records show Seevers has a prior conviction for child abuse. Mansfield has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.