The Central Homicide Unit's investigation into a charred body found inside a vehicle in Thermal last month has resulted in the arrest of three Coachella residents this week.
The investigation also identified the victim as a 35-year-old Coachella man.
On July 14, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department initially responded to assist Cal Fire with a report of a burned body inside a vehicle, and since that time Central Homicide has been at the helm of the investigation.
"Investigators from the Central Homicide Unit have arrested three suspects in connection with this case," Deputy Sgt. Ed Baeza said in an Aug. 2 press release from the Department. "They have been identified as Hector Ramiro Yamanaka, 44-year-old; Daisy Gil Cabrera, 34-year-old; and Ireneo D. Lagunez, all residents of Coachella." The last suspect's age was not released.
Deputies responded to the incident at 2:02 a.m. on July 14 and found the vehicle and victim in a date orchard on the 83000 block of Avenue 60, Baeza's initial report said. A crime scene was secured and the case was assumed by the Central Homicide Unit with assistance from Cal Fire arson investigators.
The victim was not initially identified, the report said. On July 29, investigators received a positive identification that the victim was Jesus M. Hernandez, 35, of Coachella. During this update, Baeza confirmed the case was being considered a homicide.
On Tuesday, Baeza reported that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder. Investigators are not looking for any other suspects.
Yamanaka is being held without bail in the Southwest Detention Center on charges of murder, arson and violating a court order, a KESQ report said this week. Cabrera, who was charged as an accessory, is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $500,000 bail. Lagunez has also been charged as an accessory to the crime and is additionally facing arson and violation of probation charges. He is being held without bail.