Family Member Murder
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A man accused of killing a 70-year-old family member in her Perris home — where the victim’s body remained for several weeks before authorities were alerted — pleaded not guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder and other offenses.
John Douglas Cruthirds, 44, of Perris was arrested last month following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the slaying of Debra Cruthirds.
Along with murder, John Cruthirds is charged with a sentence-enhancing allegation of inflicting great bodily injury on a senior.
The defendant was arraigned Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Melissa Hale, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for July 22 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Cruthirds is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Jarred Bishop and court documents, patrol deputies were sent to Debra Cruthirds’ residence at 2175 Glimmer Way, near Redlands Avenue, shortly before 10 a.m. on April 18 to conduct a welfare check on the victim.
Bishop did not specify who requested the welfare check.
“Upon deputies’ arrival, they located evidence of a homicide,” the sergeant said. “The scene was secured, and investigators from the Central Homicide Unit were requested.”
Court documents indicated that Debra Cruthirds was killed on April 5, roughly two weeks before the sheriff’s department was contacted. It remained unclear whether she was the defendant’s mother or aunt.
He was detained at the house for questioning but not formally booked into custody until hours later. The specific circumstances, as well as a possible motive for the alleged attack, were not disclosed.
Cruthirds has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
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