RivCo Husband Admits To Wife's Murder During Court Hearing

GOOD HOPE, CA — A 58-year-old Good Hope man pleaded guilty Tuesday to gunning down his wife.

William Thomas Dunlap was arrested last year following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into the death of 56-year-old Kimberly Sue Dunlap.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled in Dunlap's case on Tuesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice. At the outset of proceedings, the prosecution and defense announced that a plea agreement had been reached. Under the deal, the defendant admitted a first-degree murder charge, and in exchange for his admission, prosecutors agreed to drop sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Superior Court Judge Jennifer Gerard scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 6 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. A prospective sentence was not disclosed. However, the minimum mandatory term for a first-degree murder conviction is 25 years to life in state prison.

Dunlap was being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to the sheriff's Sgt. Alberto Loureiro, the fatal attack happened shortly after 10 p.m. on June 8, 2024, at a property in the 25000 block of Highway 74, near Mapes Road.

Loureiro said patrol deputies and paramedics were called to the location and found Kimberly Dunlap suffering from a single gunshot wound.

Despite efforts to save her, Dunlap was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff's department reported that she suffered from a single gunshot wound.

Central Homicide Unit detectives took over the investigation, detaining Dunlap for questioning without incident. The defendant was formally booked into custody the next day.

A possible motive for the attack wasn't disclosed.

Dunlap had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.