Homicide Investigation 

October 31, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on October 23, 2026, at 2:29 p.m., deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station responded to Bautista Canyon Road and Willis Road in Anza, where they located the remains of an adult female. The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit was called to the location and assumed the investigation. Based on the autopsy results, investigators believe the female was the victim of a homicide. During the investigation, investigators identified the suspect as Joseph Rainey, a 40-year-old resident of Hemet.

On October 29, 2026, Rainey was located in the 1400 block of State Street, where he was taken into custody without incident. Investigators served a search warrant at Rainey’s residence, where they seized multiple items related to the investigation. Rainey was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for the murder.

The victim was identified as Jessica Rodriguez, a 43-year-old resident of Hemet. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their assistance in this investigation and for helping bring justice to this victim. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Daniel DiMaggio at (951) 955-2777.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Carlos Mendoza

File # D262960037

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office