A Murrieta man is suspected of killing his wife, an Escondido police officer, and attempting to burn down their house to cover up the crime, authorities said Thursday.
Freddy Perez Rodas, 27, was arrested Wednesday night and booked into a Riverside County jail on suspicion of murder, arson and child endangerment in connection with the death of 25-year-old Laura Perez.
Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad said Rodas shot his wife in the chest during a domestic dispute sometime Wednesday in their Murrieta house on Grand Oaks Court near Hancock Avenue. Perez died at the home, and police suspect her husband then took her body to a Moreno Valley storage locker. Rodas then returned to the house and set fire to it, unsuccessfully attempting to burn it to the ground, police said.
Fire crews arrived around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and extinguished the flames a short time later, immediately identifying the cause of the blaze as arson, Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad said.
Rodas, who called to report the fire, had also reported his wife missing, Conrad said.
"During questioning overnight, Rodas admitted killing his wife and burning the location in an attempt to cover up the crime," said Conrad, adding that Rodas took detectives to where he had dumped his wife's remains.
The couple's 4-year-old child was not harmed and is now in the care of extended family, the lieutenant said.
Conrad said his agency worked closely with Escondido police during the investigation.
"Our condolences go out to both Ms. Perez' immediate family, as well as her police family,'' he said.
Escondido Police Chief Craig Carter said his department was reeling from the news.
"The men and women of the Escondido police family and all city employees are shocked by the tragic loss of one of our own," Carter said. "We ask for time to grieve and take care of Laura's family."
Rodas is being held at a Riverside County jail in Murrieta.
The couple's 4-year-old child was not harmed and is now in the care of extended family, Conrad said.
