Riverside County Sheriff Releases Identity of 34-Year-Old Man Found Murdered in Coachella

Homicide Investigation (Update)

January 30, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials issue an update to Coachella homicide investigation.

The victim in this case has been identified as James Edward Montenegro, 34-year-old resident of Coachella.

Original Details: On Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:18 p.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the 51000 block of Calle Empalme in the city of Coachella regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased adult male suffering from traumatic injuries. Responding deputies secured the scene, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office - Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. The decedent has not been identified at this time.

During this investigation, the suspect was identified as 44-year-old Mario Gonzalez, a resident of Coachella. Gonzalez was located inside an adjoining trailer and refused to exit. Personnel from the Riverside County Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau responded to the location, and after several hours of negotiating, Gonzalez exited the trailer and was taken into custody. He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for murder. No further information will be released at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Gonzalez at (951) 533-4629.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Rafael Victorio

File # Y250270043

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office