Coroner IDs body of slain Menifee boy

The Riverside County Coroner’s Office today officiallyidentified the remains of an 11-year-old Menifee boy discovered in the backyardof his mother’s house, where his older half-brother allegedly buried him afterkilling him.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Lisa McConnell said the cause of Terry Smith Jr.’s deathwas pending — coroner’s officials only said he was the victim of a homicide.

The boy’s mother contacted Riverside County sheriff’s deputies on July 7to report him missing. His 16-year-old half-brother, Skylor Atilano,initially told investigators he had last seen Terry Jr. playing video games inhis bedroom. However, two days later, the teenager changed his story, saying hehad spotted his brother following him to a nearby market and directed him toreturn home.

Over the ensuing days, volunteers fanned out over the area to look forTerry Jr., who was described by his mother as autistic with the mental capacityof a 7-year-old — a claim his father disputed.

Shortly after midnight on July 10, Terry’s body was found in a shallowgrave under a tree about 75 feet behind the family home in the 33000 block ofHelen Lane.

Atilano was arrested and charged with murder. He is being held atSouthwest Juvenile Hall in Murrieta and is scheduled to make his next courtappearance on Sept. 17.

Prosecutors intend to request that he be tried as an adult.