Location: 18800 block of Road 244, Strathmore

Incident Date: 4/6/17

Incident Time: 1655 hours

Case Number: 17-04138

Victim: Hispanic female, 30-45 years

City: Strathmore

Posted by: Media Relations

UPDATE: Homicide victim's name released

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

After notifying family, the name of victim has been released:

Victim: Araceli Amador, 27, out of Mexico

 

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

Victim: Hispanic Adult Female (Pending Family Notification)      

Suspect: Jesus Ruiz (also used the alias of Alberto Rocha Fernandez) 47 years of age, resident of Porterville 

On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office completed an autopsy on an unidentified female found murdered on April 6 2017 in the Strathmore area. During the autopsy, Detectives used tattoo information and finger print analysis from the federal database to identify the victim. Detectives also determined the cause of death as being exsanguination due to sharp force trauma to the chest.

Detectives are currently working with the Mexican Consulate to provide notification to the family prior to the release of the victim’s name. 

On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit identified Jesus Ruiz, who also used the alias of Alberto Rocha Fernandez, as the person responsible for the murder of the victim. Early in the afternoon of April 12, nearly 40 Detectives assisted in the service of search warrants in Watsonville, Lindsay and Porterville which ultimately resulted in the whereabouts of the suspect Jesus Ruiz who was residing on the 17800 block of Road 208 in Porterville. 

As SWAT Personnel and Violent Crime Detectives arrived at the suspect’s residence, a single gunshot was fired from within the residence. Sheriff personnel deployed a robot and drone in and around the residence at which time it was determined that the suspect was the sole occupant of the residence and had shot himself. SWAT personnel entered the residence and located the suspect who had succumbed to his injuries which were self-inflected.     

During the service of the warrant at the suspects residence, Detectives also found a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation inside the residence. Detectives determined the victim and suspect had just recently began a dating relationship.

Shortly before the murder, investigators believe the victim and the suspect were involved in a domestic violence incident during which the victim was murdered. The case is still an active investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Van Curen and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.

 

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

UPDATE: The Sheriff's Office is releasing a photo of a ring found on one of the victim's fingers.

Also, the victim has a tattoo of a Sea Horse on her right shoulder, a Peacock on her left shoulder and the name "Bruno" on her right wrist.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective VanCuren and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.

 

 

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

Sheriff Boudreaux asks the public for information to help identify a woman whose body was found Thursday in Strathmore.


The body of the woman, age 30-45 years old, appears to have been left in an orchard on the 18800 block of Road 244 just before 5 p.m. Thursday.


She had visible signs of trauma to her upper torso and foul play is suspected.


She does not match any missing person’s report in Tulare County and her fingerprints are not in our system. She's Hispanic and her hair color is brunette.


If you have any information regarding this homicide, please contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Office immediately at (559) 733-6218.


Anonymous information can be reported through our TipNow Program at (559) 725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.

 

Victim: Hispanic Female Adult, 30-45 years of age    

On April 6, 2017, at approximately 1655 hours, Tulare County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the area of Avenue 188 and Road 244 in Strathmore in regards to found body in an orchard. Deputies arrived on scene and located the victim who was deceased. The unidentified female victim had visible trauma to the upper torso and foul play was suspected. 

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff Office Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective VanCuren and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.