Murrieta Man Arrested In Killing Of Police Officer Wife
MURRIETA (CBS/AP) — Authorities have arrested a Murrieta man on suspicion of murder in the death of his wife, an Escondido police officer.
Freddy Perez-Rodas, 27, was arrested Wednesday in Murrieta on suspicion of murder, arson and child endangerment.
An investigation was underway after police and fire department personnel responded to a house fire Wednesday night on Grand Oaks Court.
Police say Perez-Rodas admitted to killing Laura Perez, 25, during a domestic dispute and dumping her body in a Moreno Valley storage lot.
Investigators ruled the fire an arson and accuse Perez-Rodas of setting the blaze to cover up the crime.
The couple's 4-year-old daughter was not hurt and is staying with other family members.
KCAL9's Crystal Cruz spoke with neighbors who say the family moved in just a few months ago.
"We've been living here a while but since they moved in they kept to themselves. Everything's always been closed up. The blinds have always been drawn," Adam Kirsh said.
"It really bothers me that it's right next to me," another neighborhood resident, Anna, said. "You hear [about] these things happening."
Perez-Rodas remained jailed Thursday, and it's unclear whether he has an attorney.
The Escondido Police Officer's Association said Perez graduated from the police academy in December.
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