Olivas Fire Death Investigation
January 11, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 8, 2025, at approximately 8:00 a.m., 
the Olivas Fire broke out near the Santa Clara River bottom, a location known to be frequented by unhoused individuals. At the time of the fire, the Sheriff’s Office Homeless Liaison Unit (HLU) was actively conducting outreach in the area.
The fire described as fast-moving and rapidly evolving quickly began to spread. The Sheriff’s Office Homeless Liaison Unit shifted gears and immediately started making notifications to individuals in the area to evacuate.
At the conclusion of the fire, Sheriff’s dispatch received a call for service of a deceased individual where the fire had burned. Deputies from the Headquarters Police Station responded to the area and located an individual who is believed to have been trapped in by the fire and was deceased.
The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit immediately responded and assumed control of the investigation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with fire officials. The identification of the decedent is still pending further investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Rico Rinaldi at 805-384-4732.
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Nature of Incident: |
Death Investigation |
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Report Number: |
RB #25-3045 |
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Location: |
3700 Block of Olivas Park; Ventura CA 93001 |
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Date & Time: |
1/8/25 @ 12:00 P.M. |
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Unit(s) Responsible: |
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit, Headquarters Patrol Services; Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
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(V) Adult Male |
Unknown |
Unknown |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office
