Menifee Man Arrested After Woman Found Dead in Pool

A Menifee man was arrested on suspicion of homicide Monday after police responding to the report of a possible domestic disturbance found a woman dead in a backyard pool.

Justin Smith, 29 (left), of Menifee was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center, according to the Menifee Police Department. The investigation is ongoing.

According to a Riverside County Sheriff's Department news release, officers from the Menifee Police Department responded at 2 p.m. Monday to a residence in the 28000 block of Stone Lane, just north of Highway 74 and west of Menifee Road in Menifee. They were responding to the report of a possible domestic disturbance with a male and female yelling. Officers arrived and attempted to make contact at the front door. After several attempts, no one answered.

While attempting to make entry, officers noticed a shirtless male running from the rear of the residence. A perimeter was established and the male was located near the intersection of Briggs Road and Highway 74. Officers entered the property on Stone Lane and located a deceased female in a backyard pool.

The female, later identified as Darlene Flynn, 58, of Menifee, had injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, police reported. The Stone Lane address is her residence, according to the Coroner's news release.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to telephone Investigator Stites of the Riverside County Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Detective Rosas of the Menifee Police Department at 951-210-1000.