Homicide Investigation 

December 21, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 12:17 a.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station responded to a brush fire in the 51000 block of Cesar Chavez Street in the city of Coachella. Upon arrival, deputies located a female with significant burns to her body. She was airlifted to the hospital, and despite receiving medical treatment, the female died from her injuries. The female was identified as 43-year-old Arlene Danielle Avila, a resident of Coachella. During the investigation, it was determined Avila was the victim of a homicide.

Investigators from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station identified the suspect as 40-year-old Richard Michael Carmona, a resident of Coachella. On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Carmona was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for murder.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Cline at (760) 393-3531 or Thermal Station Investigator Glasper at (760) 863-8990.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Rafael Victorio

File # Y243050003

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Rafael Victorio

File # Y243050003

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office