Location: Avenue 384/Road 64, London

Incident Date: 5/23/17

Incident Time: 1400 hours

Case Number: 17-06174

Victim: Adult male

City: London

Posted by: Media Relations

UPDATE: Homicide suspects arrested

*********************UPDATE***********************************

On 5/23/17, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of the “London Lagoon” near Road 60 and Avenue 384 for a report of a drowning victim.  The victim was identified as Fermin Becerra, a New London resident, who frequented the Lagoon.  This investigation is now being treated as a Homicide and is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit. 

On 6/4/17, two people were taken into custody and booked for Homicide and Conspiracy related to this investigation.  The two suspects are Fernando Ruiz Ayala, 36 years of age, and Denise Martin, 36 years of age.

 Additional persons of interest are also being sought for questioning as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Detective McBride or Sergeant Heiden at the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.

 

 

 

*************************UPDATE********************************

The victim has been identified by the Coroner's Office as Fermin Becerra, 58, of the New London area.

 

*************************Original Press Release*****************

Just before 2 p.m. on May 23, 2017, Deputies responded to a report of a body floating in a lagoon just north of London, California, south of Avenue 384 and west of Road 64. Upon arrival, Deputies located the body 50 yards from the shore.

The Sheriff's Dive Team was called to the scene and recovered the body of a man who looked to be 50-60 years old.

At the scene, the coroner checked the body for signs of trauma and none were found. There were no signs of foul play. He estimated that the body had been in the water for two days.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously through our TipNow Program at (559) 725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.