Palm Desert homicide victim identified as 93-year-old woman
A woman found yesterday afternoon in Palm Desert has just been identified as 93-year-old Jean Grace Willrich.
Investigators were called to the 77000 block of Michigan Drive just before 1:00 on Tuesday. They say a woman was found dead in a home with "trauma to her body consistent with a homicide."
Alice McCormick-Mclean, who lives in the neighborhood where the crime took place, said she "feels less safe" in the wake of the incident.
Her neighbor, Cheryl Mena, was also rattled by the murder. She said “when I saw where it was located, I immediately went over and checked on Alice to make sure she was ok.”
The female victim's death is the second murder in a matter of weeks to shake the same neighborhood.
McCormick-Mclean said she's noticed an uptick in crime in her community since she first moved into the area in the mid-90's.
She said not only is crime happening more often, but the type of crime being committed is also worsening.
McCormick-Mclean said she and her neighbors “were already alerted to all of the robberies that have been taking place. A robbery is one thing, but then when you hear somebody was actually murdered its kind of really frightening.”
She explained that she installed a home security system and security camera on her property, but thinks part of the problem is the increase in rental properties in the area.
Residents in this neighborhood also said they consistently check in with their neighbors to ensure their wellbeing.
Some are also calling for an increased police presence to patrol more regularly.
This investigation comes just a couple of weeks after a man was shot and killed near Tennessee Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue. The victim has been identified as Edward V. Snyder, 47.
There has been no information released by deputies regarding any arrests in that case.
From RSO: If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator Castaneda with Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Chua of the Palm Desert Sheriff Station at 760-836-1600.
Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff's Homicide Tipline online form.
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