Domestic Violence Victim Found Dead Inside Corona Home, One Held On Murder Charges

CORONA — A Corona assault victim who declined pressing charges against the man who injured her and refused medical help has died, authorities said.

Officers arrested Manuel Angel Rivera, 55, of Corona, on suspicion of committing the deadly assault. He is being held on suspicion of murder and other charges, according to the Corona Police Department. He was being held on charges including domestic violence, obstructing an officer, and felony murder in the first degree. Rivera was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Sept. 26, and his bail has been raised to $1,000,000 following King's death, awaiting a court date of Oct. 15 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Shortly after 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 24, Corona Police Officers responded to domestic violence calls at the 1700 block of Wren Avenue.

When no one answered, officers forced their way inside to "ensure the victim's safety." There they found the victim, identified as Avery King, 52, who was suffering from "multiple visible injuries," the department said.

She declined medical treatment at the scene and chose not to press charges against Rivera, though he was suspected of causing her injuries, according to a department spokesperson. An Emergency Protective Order was issued for King's protection.

After no one was able to make contact with King several hours later, her family conducted a welfare check at her residence, where they found her dead in her home, police said.

"Due to the suspicious circumstances of the death, it is being investigated as a homicide," the department said.

A potential first-degree murder charge was added against Rivera, and his bail was upped to $1 million.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Detective Jason Goudy at Jason.Goudy@CoronaCA.gov, or 951-739-4880.

Editor's Note:

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is in a domestically unsafe situation, Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Text: "START" to 88788. A Chat: Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's website for online chat support.