Jesus M. Hernandez, 35, of Thermal, California, was found dead inside a burning vehicle on Avenue 60 in Thermal; his body was discovered during the early hours of July 14, 2022, after a car fire that began the night before. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Central Homicide Unit treated the circumstances as suspicious and opened an investigation.

Authorities identified three suspects: Hector Ramiro Yamanaka Ruiz, 44; Ireneo Dominguez Lagunes, 57; and Daisy Cabrera Gil, 34. Ruiz was booked on multiple felonies including murder, arson on property and possession of a fire explosive, plus a misdemeanor for violating a domestic violence court order. Lagunes faced arson and possession of a fire explosive charges and was described as an accessory; Gil was charged as an accessory. All three pleaded not guilty at arraignment in Indio.

Preliminary hearing testimony described a domestic dispute: Gil, who was dating and living with Ruiz, kicked him out after an argument; Hernandez, an acquaintance of Gil, visited to smoke methamphetamine and play darts. Gil testified Ruiz returned with a firearm and shot Hernandez multiple times. Prosecutors say the three then placed Hernandez’s body in a vehicle, drove to a remote location and set it on fire. The suspects are awaiting trial.

Did anyone in the area see Hernandez’s vehicle or notice activity on Avenue 60 around the night of July 13–14, 2022?