INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 8-5-24, 7 am
LOCATION: 29000 block of Central Avenue
AREA/CITY: Lake Elsinore
DETAILS:
PRESS RELEASE
On August 5, 2024, at 7:00 a.m., officers from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to a business in the 29000 block of Central Avenue in Lake Elsinore where an assault with a deadly weapon had occurred. Officers arrived on scene and found an employee, later identified as Jessica Morales, a 65-year-old from Menifee, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers rendered medical aid to the woman until medical personnel arrived. The victim was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect later turned himself in to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station and was identified as Lonnie Hinton, a 29-year-old man from Wildomar. Investigators arrested Hinton for murder and booked him into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. Investigators learned that Hinton had been released from state prison earlier that year for a robbery conviction and was on parole at the time of the incident.
This appears to be a random incident and there was no interaction between the suspect and the victim prior to the attack. There are no outstanding suspects in this case. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details will be released.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call Investigator K. Farag or Investigator D. Robertson of the Central Homicide Unit at 951–955–2777.
MORE INFORMATION BELOW
“Investigators learned that Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year for a robbery and was on parole at the time of the incident,” Bishop said in a statement.
The victim had worked for Walmart for over 25 years and was a loving mother and supportive friend, a co-worker who wished to remain anonymous told Fox 11.
“She was a really good person. A great friend. Everyone liked her,” the colleague said. “You’re here to work and help customers, not to get stabbed or insulted, you know? You want to be safe in your workplace, but that’s not the case.”
Anyone with information about the fatal stabbing is asked to call Investigator K. Farag or Investigator D. Robertson of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.
Settlement agencies: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
