On June 26, 2025, deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station responded to a possible homicide report on Manila Avenue in Indio’s unincorporated area. Upon arrival, they discovered a female victim with traumatic injuries inside a residence. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Alexis Cano, a 24-year-old resident of Indio. The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation.
Authorities concluded that the incident resulted from a domestic disturbance. The suspect was identified as Cano’s boyfriend, Mario Morales Jr., aged 25 and residing in Coachella. Morales was located and arrested without incident on June 27, 2025, and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for murder.
Another suspect emerged during the investigation: Juanna De Morales, aged 55 and also from Coachella. She was arrested on June 26, 2025, for accessory to murder and booked into the same detention center.
The investigation remains active with no further information being released at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator D. Hernandez or Investigator G. Gonzalez at 951–955–2777.
For media inquiries regarding this incident, please reach out to the Media Information Bureau.
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