Month: April 2025

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon who choked his girlfriend to death during a domestic confrontation in the parking lot of an Indio condominium complex was awaiting sentencing today after being convicted of second-degree murder.

An Indio jury on Wednesday found 44-year-old Eduardo Alvarez of Indio guilty of the 2020 slaying of 32-year-old Madeleine Gutierrez, also of Indio.   

Jurors returned with a unanimous verdict late in the afternoon after deliberating roughly two days. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling set a sentencing hearing for June 13 at the Larson Justice Center.   

Alvarez is likely to receive the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.  

He is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.    According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, he and Gutierrez were in a tumultuous relationship that started in 2018. Their final conflict happened in the predawn hours of Oct. 17, 2020, when the victim called 911 after an argument outside the Encanto Apartments in the 46-700 block of Clinton Street.

Prosecutors said Indio police officers arrived shortly before 4 a.m. and found Gutierrez standing with a building security guard, complaining that Alvarez had forcibly taken her car keys.

When officers asked whether she wanted to leave in her vehicle while Alvarez remained behind for her safety, the woman said no, instead telling the policemen she preferred the defendant stay with her. The two then left in her hatchback.   

A little over an hour later, Alvarez called 911, claiming he and his girlfriend had just been attacked in the parking lot of the Summer Breeze Condos in the 47-300 block of Monroe Street and that he was passing out, prosecutors said.

When police reached the location, they discovered the defendant in a fetal position, laying next to Gutierrez, who was unconscious, on her back in front of her vehicle, arms outstretched at her sides and exhibiting “facial injuries and some marks around her neck,” the brief stated.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene 20 minutes later. The cause of death was determined to be manual strangulation.   

Gutierrez “feigned unconsciousness” as he lay in the parking lot, betraying his alertness by forcing his eyes shut while paramedics checked him for injuries. He had apparent swelling on the left side of his forehead, but “no other obvious signs of trauma,” court papers said.

He was taken to a hospital for examination, then cleared to leave with detectives, who took him to the Indio Police Department for an interview. When asked about the circumstances of Gutierrez’s death, Alvarez gave different accounts of what transpired.

He told investigators initially that he and Gutierrez had been out most of the night, going to places in Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs before heading over to the Encanto Apartments, where his niece resided. He said there had been a minor tiff that prompted Gutierrez to get angry and try to “run him over,” but that it was a “playful” stunt. He told detectives he took her keys from her as a precaution, according to the brief.   

The defendant said they then drove to his residence and parked outside. In one version of events, Alvarez indicated the two were talking next to her car when a pair of unknown men approached and shouted “Where you from?” A tussle ensued, and Alvarez said he was punched in the head and fell to the ground, at which point the men turned their attention to Gutierrez, who struggled with them before she was knocked unconscious, court papers said.   

In another version, Alvarez said he and Gutierrez were enjoying a romantic moment in the open rear of her car when the two men accosted them, grabbed Alvarez by his feet and pulled him out of the car, causing his head to hit the pavement and stun him. He said Gutierrez fought with the men, but couldn’t recall any other details.

Detectives picked out inconsistencies, including signs that Gutierrez had been dragged through a field, with dirt and grass in her hair and clothes, prompting Gutierrez to start yawning, remarking, “I need a lawyer,” ending the police interview, the prosecution said.

Alvarez has documented prior felony and misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, resisting arrest, assault and violating a restraining order.   

His ex-wife, identified only as “E.L.,” divorced him after he choked her into unconsciousness in front of their children, documents stated. The defendant also admitted choking a fellow inmate in their jail cell.

Athena Jreij

Editor’s Note: We have removed the name and photo of the suspect after charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence, Indio police and the District Attorney’s office said.

Police said they are aware that the suspect was not charged in this crime and they will continue to work the case, and if they get additional information, the detectives could refile the case with the DA’s Office.

IPD said they are working with the neighborhood about their concerns.

The suspect was released from custody on Monday, according to jail records.

UPDATE 4/15/2025:

Indio police said a woman who told them she was responsible for assaulting Shari Griffith is now facing a new charge — attempted murder in an unrelated case in Desert Hot Springs.

Griffith is standing by her original statement. She said it was her male neighbor who assaulted her.

Indio police said they’re still working to positively identify if the woman was a suspect in Griffith’s attack.

News Channel 3 asked the department how they’re keeping neighbors safe.

“We are doing extra patrols in the area,” Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio police, said. “I’m also trying to work with residents in that area to have a community meeting so we can talk about safety and hear their concerns.” 

No date has been set yet.

UPDATE 4/11/2025:

The suspect arrested and accused of assaulting an Indio woman on Thursday is due in court on Monday, April 14.

He was arrested nearly a week after the 70-year-old victim was attacked.

The victim, Shari Griffith, says the suspect is her neighbor, who left her with a black eye and a swollen wrist.

Griffith adds that while she’s thankful police made an arrest, there are still two other neighbors who were involved in the incident.

ORIGINAL REPORT 4/10/2025:   

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Some people in an Indio neighborhood say they’re living in fear after their 70-year-old neighbor, Shari Griffith was assaulted, and it took nearly a week for authorities to make an arrest.

Residents living on the 81200 block of Helen Ave. reached out to News Channel 3 about the incident after they say Griffith was assaulted by three neighbors rummaging through her car.

“He turned around and he hit me with the bony part of his palm upside the head. And, I was stunned, absolute shock. It surprised me and I just started crying,” Griffith said.

Now, she’s left with a black eye, swollen wrist, and fear she can’t shake after she says those neighbors have been intimidating the community.

“The young lady who’s the driver of the car drives erratically through the neighborhood. She’s driving so erratically that she has come close to hitting numerous of the neighbors,” Griffith said.

Looking for answers, News Channel 3 reached out to Indio Police and the result of that pressure?

A knock on Griffith’s door from several detectives during our interview.

Thirty minutes after police received another testimony from Griffith, an arrest was made.

“On Thursday, at approximately 12:35 PM, a male suspect was arrested. The detectives are currently processing him and will be booked into John Benoit Detention Center for elder abuse and vehicle burglary,” Sgt. Abe Plata said.

In that same statement to News Channel 3, police said they were unable to make an arrest the day of the assault because Griffith was unable to positively identify a suspect.

But Griffith says that’s not true and rather, the officer who handled her case didn’t take her seriously.

“It was assigned to, a man who I have no faith in, no trust in, and who misrepresented many, many issues. That information that he relayed to me on the phone, about information that I had provided the police department was wrong,” Griffith said.

While she’s grateful one of the individuals apart of her assault was arrested, her community says work still needs to be done to arrest all three.

“My heart would break if this isn’t handled and taken seriously, and one or all three of these younger people commits another crime against a person in this neighborhood,” Griffith said.  

Julia Castro

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – A fatal crash involving a big rig and a passenger vehicle occurred early Thursday morning on Interstate 10 just west of Palm Springs in Cabazon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The collision happened at 12:06 a.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway near Haugan-Lehmann Way.

Authorities said a gray Volkswagen Jetta was struck by a big rig truck under circumstances still under investigation.

The driver of the Jetta, Dianna Bocanegra, 40, of Ontario was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The crash prompted a SigAlert overnight, resulting in temporary lane closures. That alert was lifted, and traffic returned to normal in both directions.

CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

Stay with KESQ for updates.

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Campers trying to get into the Coachella Music and Arts Festival Thursday were stuck in traffic for several hours.

Some campers said they’ve been in line for more than eight hours without access to water or restrooms.

“Seven hours into this. We paid 600 dollars a ticket, 300 for parking pass. This is absurd, why are we spending this money to spend eight hours in a car we aren’t even inside yet.”

Ethan, festival-goer

“I’ve seen people pass out through heat exhaustion, it’s been chaos. We’ve been here since 3 am it’s been crazy. It’s literally almost 11.”

Olivia, festival-goer

Lines remained long around the Empire Polo Club in Indio throughout the day.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KESQ News Channel 3 (@kesq_news_channel_3)

Officials from multiple departments and agencies helping to direct traffic into the festival, including CHP.

Officer David Torres says with the influx of visitors, enforcement is not only being ramped up around the festival, but all throughout the Valley.

“We do have more officers on the road but are also more hyper-aware looking for violations, making sure that everyone can make it to the festival safely… We just see that people are so excited for the festival so sometimes they may be speeding, or distracted, or might want to be celebrating early.”

David Torres, Indio CHP PIO

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services is marking “Barkchella” with fee-waived adoptions during both weekends of the Coachella music festival at all shelter locations.

The promotion runs from Wednesday-Saturday, April 9-12, and again on April 16-19.

The department released information on some of the adoptable dogs on Thursday, announcing on Facebook, “No festival is complete without a lineup, and we have some fantastic pets at each of our “stages” this year! Don’t miss out on these headliners and other pets available now at each of our shelters.”

The Bark-street Boys are featured at the Coachella Valley Stage, Aero-sniff is appearing at the San Jacinto Stage, and The Beagles are playing at the Jurupa Valley Stage.

“We have so many wonderful dogs and with summer right around the corner, now is the time to find your hiking, swimming, outdoor companion who can share in your adventures,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “It’s nearly impossible to not fall in love when you visit our shelters and meet these amazing pets.”

County officials said there are over 1,000 dogs and 90 cats across all RivCo shelters, plenty of adoptable pets who are ready to go home to their new families today.

Families who are considering adding a new pet but want to see how the pet does in their home before they adopt, RCDAS offers a short-term foster option where people can foster a pet until they’re ready to fully commit.

“Our community includes our pets, and I’m hopeful we can work together to help the large dogs looking for a home,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “There are so many loving pets who need a loving family to take them in, and fee-waived adoptions are a great opportunity to change a life.”

There are many dogs who have been in the shelter for more than 100 days.

Dogs like Janet, who is the longest resident, waiting over 180 days for a home. Janet is a 18-month old, spayed female Rottweiler mix who came to the shelter in October last year. She is sweet, affectionate and loves scratches, and she does well on walks and with other dogs. She is located at the Western Riverside Animal Campus at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.

RivCo dog Janet at the Western Riverside Animal Campus.

Potential adopters can visit any of the four shelter locations during open hours to meet adoptable dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Open hours for the Coachella Vally, San Jacinto and Western Riverside shelters are as follows: Monday – Tuesday, Thursday- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Blythe Animal Shelter is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

To view adoptable pets, visit www.rcdas.org/adoptable-pets. For more information, email shelterinfo@rivco.org.

For those who would like to help but cannot adopt a pet full-time, they can sign up to foster at www.rcdas.org. The pets most in need of foster care are larger dogs, those with medical needs, and those with behavioral challenges.

Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Desert broke ground on a new fire station on Thursday.

Fire Station 102 is being built near Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford Drives, right behind the Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert campus.

The new station will be a 12,000 square foot facility with three bays. There will be room for a ladder truck, a fire engine, and a paramedic ambulance in the bays, with living quarters for up to ten firefighters and a Battalion Chief. A gym and outdoor spaces will be included for the firefighters to spend time during their 72 hour shifts.

City officials hope the new station will improve response times as well as provide new state of the art equipment. The station is set to open in April 2026.

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County District Attorney filed a felony complaint on Friday against suspect Gohar Kagramanyan, charging her with violation of California Penal Code sections 422(a) and 422.6(a) – Criminal Threats and Hate Crimes.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Monday, April 14 in Indio. Due to the nature and severity of the threats, detectives obtained a bail enhancement, and she is being held on $500,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Palm Springs police arrested Kagramanyan, 36, in Desert Hot Springs on Wednesday after being accused of threatening to send explosives to the Palm Springs Chabad.

The investigation started on April 3, when the threats were first made.

“The suspect… threatened to send explosives to the Palm Springs Chabad and expressed intent to kill the victim and others associated with the organization,” Palm Springs police wrote in a news release.

Due to the nature and severity of the threats, detectives obtained a bail enhancement, and she has been held on $500,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

“The Palm Springs Police Department takes all threats of violence and hate-motivated crimes extremely seriously. We remain committed to protecting the safety and security of all members of our community,” PSPD wrote.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.