Woman found dead in Indio motel, police investigating as a homicide
Things appeared quiet Thursday morning at the City Center Motel on Indio Boulevard.
No police cars and no crime tape.
But Wednesday night, police were called to the place after a woman with a gunshot wound was found dead.
"We still obviously want to know why this person was at the hotel, what their purpose was, what was going on," said Indio Police Department Administrative Officer Ben Guitron.
We spoke with several people on the hotel grounds who did not want to comment when asked if they knew anything about what happened.
The major crimes unit investigated the scene and the coroner showed up to remove the body.
The police department's spokesman says the homicide is the second investigated in the city this year.
"The 48 hours is very important to the detectives and our detectives fortunately were available and responded promptly," said Guitron.
We spoke with the manager of Guanajuato Tire across the street who did not want to talk on camera.
But he said for as long as he's worked there he is unaware of any problems at the City Center Motel.
Business owners up and down the street tell us they usually don't see significant crime in the area.
Nick Krespis has owned Andy's Diner on the busy boulevard for 31 years.
"It's a pretty bad situation. We haven't had anything for a few years of that particular nature happening so I was surprised," said Krespis.
The police spokesman says information from the community could help police make an arrest.
"Police work depends on information from the public as well besides evidence. Information being witnesses, people who hear anything, or people who might know a piece of it," said Guitron.
Police have not yet released the name of the woman who died and there is no word yet on a possible suspect.
They're also checking to see if any surveillance cameras in the area captured any footage related to the crime.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP, or the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057.
INITIAL REPORT:
Indio Police say a woman with a gunshot wound was found dead in a hotel room just before 8:00 Wednesday night. Investigators are now working to find out just what happened at the City Center Motel on Indio Boulevard.
"When officers arrived at the location, they found a deceased female with a gunshot wound. Based on the circumstances, Indio Police Major Crimes Unit Detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation." police told News Channel 3 in a release.
The Coroner's office responded and at this point, officials say there is no identification of the homicide victim available to release.
News Channel 3 has a crew at the scene. Stay with News Channel 3 and kesq.com for updates on this ongoing investigation.
Indio Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is seeking information. You can reach Detective Perez or Detective Suarez at (760) 391-4051.
If you want to report anonymous information about this, or any crime, you can call Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at 341-STOP (7867).
