Homicide Investigation 

December 28, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, December 26, 2025, at 6:43 p.m., deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a residence in the 31000 block of Sunflower Way, Temecula, regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies secured the scene, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation, 31-year-old Nicaela Hernandez (pictured), a resident of Temecula, was identified as the suspect. Hernandez was taken into custody and subsequently booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for murder.

The decedent’s name will not be released at this time pending next of kin notification. This case is active and ongoing. No additional suspects are believed to be involved, and 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 Chua at (951) 955-2777 or Southwest Station Investigator Mills at (951) 696-3000.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Mike Kelleher

File # TE253600102

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office