Missing Riverside County Man’s Remains Located While Homicide Suspect Is Found Dead

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, which had been investigating a missing person case, confirmed it has found the human remains of the 61-year-old victim. A press release issued by the department stated that the remains had been recovered.

Additionally, the investigation into the suspect also reached a conclusion after the individual was found dead. The victim’s family reported him missing on May 12. Based on circumstantial evidence obtained at the scene, authorities later classified the case as a homicide investigation.

Human remains belonging to 61-year-old Francisco Frank Torres were located days after his family reported him missing. The Southwest Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office was informed of the development on May 21. The remains were found near Warner Springs between highways 79 and 371 in San Diego County.

Homicide investigators and forensic experts who were dispatched to the scene later identified the remains as Torres’. They also found the victim’s car abandoned near a local park in the Temecula area.

The police department’s official update after the victim was located stated, “On Saturday, May 23, 2026, homicide investigators were informed of human remains found in the Warner Springs, CA area near Highway 79 and Highway 371 (San Diego County). Homicide investigators and the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to process the scene. On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the human remains as Francisco Torres.”

During the course of the investigation, a 66-year-old man named Derek Arnett was identified as the person of interest and the prime suspect behind the case. They did not find any other suspect to be responsible for the victim’s disappearance and final death. Once Torres’ remains were found, a search operation was conducted to trace the culprit.

Investigators tracked Arnett’s car to a parking lot off the Penchanga Parkway. It was right between the intersection of Wolf Valley Road and Wolf Valley Creek Drive in Temecula.

Believing Arnett to be armed, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department dispatched Emergency Service law enforcement personnel to assist in the search. When the officers finally approached the 66-year-old, they found him to be already injured. These appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Several attempts were made by the paramedics on-scene to try to resuscitate Arnett, but it failed. He was declared dead at the scene itself.

The Sheriff’s Sgt. Alberto Loureiro stated the recent developments in the case. He underlined that the department had reason to believe that the victim Torres and the suspect Arnett were related.

He further explained the tracking of the suspect Arnett, who committed suicide. In his words, “During the investigation … Torres’ vehicle (was found) abandoned near a park in Temecula. Based on suspicious circumstances, investigators from the Central Homicide Unit were notified and assumed the investigation. When deputies contacted Arnett, they noticed he had injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived. Arnett was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.”