INDIO, CALIF. — A man and his mother from Coachella have been arrested in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Alexis Cano in Riverside County, authorities confirmed.
The suspects have been identified as Mario Morales Jr., 25, and his mother, Juanna De Morales, 55, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to reports of a possible homicide around 7 a.m. on June 26 at a residence in the 84000 block of Manila Avenue in Indio. When they arrived, they found Cano suffering from a gunshot wound inside the home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the fatal shooting stemmed from a domestic disturbance, with Morales identified as the primary suspect. According to KESQ, Morales later confessed the killing to his family and asked his mother to drive him to Mexico. He was reportedly dropped off at a friend’s ranch.
Mexican authorities located Morales at the ranch the next day and transferred him to the Calexico Port of Entry, where Riverside County deputies arrested him for murder.
Juanna De Morales was arrested at the U.S. border for accessory to murder while trying to re-enter the country.
On July 1, both were officially charged and pleaded not guilty in court. A court hearing is scheduled for July 11.
Morales is being held on $5 million bail, while his mother is held on $1 million bail. A booking photo has been released for Morales only.
