Officials identify woman who was found during arson investigation in Desert Hot Springs

A woman's body was found inside one of two abandoned hotel buildings that were found in flames early this morning, News Channel 3 has confirmed with Desert Hot Springs Police investigators.

The coroner has identified the woman as 62-year-old Kim Aguerrebere from Desert Hot Springs. The coroner's report did not identify a cause of her death, but they did say that she passed away at the same time as the fire. 

Police are working to learn more information about the circumstances of the death.

Arson investigators are also working to determine the cause of the two fires in adjacent buildings, officials on-site tell News Channel 3.

CAL FIRE reported that they responded to 5th Street and Ocotillo Road at 6:39 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of an abandoned hotel on fire.

Two large hotel buildings were on fire.

Firefighters confirmed that flames in both buildings were contained at 8:04 am. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

#DesertIC [UPDATE] 8:00AM - A The fire in the first structure has been contained. Firefighters continue to work on the second structure to establish containment. More information will be provided as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/k1hglxEmGH

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) March 23, 2023