Sun City Man Arrested Following Woman's Death in House Fire

A resident of the Sun City community of Menifee has been arrested in connection with a homicide investigation involving the death of an unidentified female in a structure fire, police said today.

According to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, David Lillard, 50, is in police custody and is considered the only suspect in this case. The investigation began after deputies responded to assist Cal Fire regarding a structure fire in the 33000 block of El Centro Avenue in Winchester last Thursday, Sept. 5.

Deputies and Cal Fire arrived within minutes and located a fire within a mobile home. As Cal Fire was extinguishing the flames, a deceased female was located within the home. Deputies secured the location and notified investigators.

The identification of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin. This is an ongoing investigation and no further information was released.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Jason Corey of the Riverside Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777, or Investigator Chris Barajas of the Perris Station at 951-210-1000.