Missing Man's Remains Found In RivCo, Homicide Suspect Arrested

CABAZON, CA — It's been three years since 30-year-old Zachary Hemminger disappeared from Cabazon, but investigators now know what happened to him.

He was killed.

Late last week, the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit arrested Shannon McCloud Collins, 47. Court records show the convicted felon, also from Cabazon, was charged with murder in the case seven months after investigators found Hemminger's remains.

According to the sheriff's department, in April 2021, an investigation into Hemminger's disappearance began, but the trail turned bleak. It was determined he was a homicide victim, but the whereabouts of his remains were unknown, and no arrests were announced.

Fast forward to November 2023, when investigators received information about human remains in the 40000 block of Blanche Avenue in Cabazon. After analysis, the remains were confirmed as Hemminger's. How he died was not disclosed.

On June 21, the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit obtained sufficient evidence to arrest Collins, according to the law enforcement agency. He was taken into custody in Cabazon's 52000 block of Lois Avenue and is currently being held at Murrieta's Cois Byrd Detention Center on $1 million bail.

Investigators did not disclose a possible motive in the slaying or what led them to Collins. It's also unclear what the relationship, if any, was between Hemminger and Collins.

Collins is scheduled for arraignment on July 9.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call Investigator D. Robertson or Investigator D. Hood of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.