Tulare Sheriff’s make progress in burning murder

A fourth arrest was made May 28 at approximately 8 a.m. in the burning murder of Jorge Luis Nunez Ayon of Bakersfield, when Detectives contacted Parrish Jones (29 years old from Porterville CA) at a friend’s residence  regarding  four outstanding warrants, and to speak to him regarding this investigation.

Parrish Jones was the last of the 4 arrested in connection with the murder of Jorge Ayon

During the investigation it was learned that Jones was contacted by one of the suspects after Ayon had been killed, and assisted by helping burn the body and by destroying other evidence. He was booked without incident into the Porterville Substation on charges of being an accessory to murder, and a “No Bail” charge.

He was also booked on the four misdemeanor warrants on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and being in possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail on the warrants totaled $40,000.

Previously, on March 29 at 8:24 a.m., Tulare Sheriff’s deputies had been dispatched to an abandoned building located in the 24000 block of Ave. 184 in the community of Strathmore regarding a deceased subject. Deputies arrived and discover a burning body. The victim was transported to the Tulare County Morgue for an autopsy and investigation by the Violent Crimes Division. On April 4, the remains were identified as those belonging to Jorge Luis Nunez Ayon of the Bakersfield area.

On May 23, the sheriff’s continued the murder investigation by serving four search warrants and making three arrests of suspects Eric Jimenez, 28, from Strathmore, Matthew Campos, 23, also of Strathmore and Raquel Espinoza, 25, of Porterville. The trio was being held on suspicion of murder with no bail set.

Ayon's car and body were brought and burnt in this area of Ave 184 in Strathmore

The search warrants were served based on information obtained during the two month long investigation. Detectives learned that on the evening of March 28, 2012 the victim was at a residence in the City of Porterville visiting with Raquel Espinoza. While there, the victim was confronted by Jimenez, who accused Ayon of dating Espinoza, whom Jimenez believes is his own girlfriend. A fight ensued, at which time Jimenez and Campos repeatedly beat the victim about the head and body, and then strangled him to death. All three suspects loaded the victim into his own vehicle and transported him to the 24000 block of Ave 184, Strathmore, where he was set on fire. The victim’s vehicle was then hidden for several days until it was located burnt in an olive grove north of Strathmore. The case is continues to be under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information should contact Det. Frank Zaragoza or Sgt. Hunt at (559) 735-1898, or Tipnow by phone (559) 725-4194, or email: tcso@tipnow.com

Read More:

KFSN: 4th arrest in Porterville murder case

Fresno Bee: Fourth person held in Tulare County homicide

Visalia Times-Delta: Fourth arrest made in Strathmore homicide investigation