Man arrested on suspicion of killing 76-year-old stepfather in Rancho Mirage

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) - A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide after the death of his 76-year-old stepfather in Rancho Mirage Thursday night.

Deputies were first called to respond to an assault with a deadly weapon call, first reported just after 8:30 p.m. on the 36000 block of Palm View Road.

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Deputies located Carl Harry Smith, 76, suffering from injuries consistent with stab wounds. Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit was requested and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation, investigators identified Smith’s stepson, a 36-year-old man from Joshua Tree, as the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for murder.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator John Adams at (951) 955-2777.