Murder suspect shot victim because she was the witness of a crime, per court docs
A woman whose body was found near Coachella in June was reportedly shot because she was the witness of a crime, according to a felony complaint on the case sent to News Channel 3 by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office.
On Wednesday, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced that they had arrested two suspects wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman whose body was at 6:00 a.m on June 25 on Avenue 53 near Monroe Street.
San Diego resident Alexis Daniel Rosas, 24, and Indio resident Maury Duarte, 29, were taken into custody at 10:30 p.m. Monday at an unspecified location on Avenue 42 in Indio. Both entered not guilty pleas in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Wednesday afternoon.
According to the felony complaint in the case, Rosas shot an unidentified woman because she had witnessed a crime. Rosas is also facing a charge of attempted murder for the shooting of another man.
PREVIOUS STORY: Two arrested in connection with murder of woman near Coachella
Duarte’s charge stems from her alleged aiding, concealing, and harboring of Rosas while knowing about the attempted murder.
Rosas is being held without bail while Duarte is being held on $1 million bail. The topic of bail will be reviewed at their felony settlement conference on July 15. Their preliminary hearing is slated for July 17.
The body was found on the 82600 block of Avenue 53, near Monroe Street on June 25 at around 6:00 a.m. Avenue 53 was closed between Monroe Street and Jackson Street for at least 13 hours deputies investigated. The woman’s body was found on the shoulder of the roadway.
The suspects, 29-year-old Maury Duarte of Indio and 24-year-old Alexis Daniel Rosas of San Diego were arrested in connection with the killing. According to county jail records, Maury and Rosas were both taken into custody on Monday at 10:30 p.m. at a location on Avenue 42 in Indio. Both are facing one count of murder with malice. They are slated to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on Wednesday.
County jail records also show that Rosas also faces one felony count of violation of state parole, a misdemeanor count of obstructing a public officer, a misdemeanor count of making unauthorized paper money, and a misdemeanor identity theft count.
The victim has been identified, but investigators are working to find family members before they officially release her positive identification..
ORIGINAL STORY: Body found near Coachella, investigators on scene for 12 hours
The investigation is active; anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Investigator Bishop with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.
