Suicide-Turned-Homicide Investigation In Menifee: Brother Arrested

MENIFEE, CA — A felon accused of fatally assaulting his brother at their Menifee home was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder.

Abisola Afuwape, 30, of Menifee was formally booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on the allegation, though he was already locked up for alleged parole violations.

According to Menifee police Capt. Dave Gutierrez, Afuwape allegedly attacked Abiodun Afuwape in the predawn hours of Oct. 7 in the 28200 block of Serenity Falls Way, near Bankside Drive.

He said 911 dispatchers received a report of a suicide, with the caller stating that the victim required life-saving treatment.

Patrol officers and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location within minutes and found Abiodun Afuwape suffering "significant trauma to his upper body, inconsistent with a suicide," according to Gutierrez.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but the victim died at the residence, the captain said.

Homicide detectives were summoned and took over the investigation.

They interviewed the suspect and initially arrested him based on a parole revocation warrant.

"Detectives and crime scene investigators continued their extensive investigation, which included crime scene analysis, evidence analysis, statements and collaboration with the District Attorney's Office," Gutierrez said. "As a result of their investigative efforts, detectives developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for the murder of his brother."

No other details were provided, including a possible motive.

Afuwape is being held without bail.

Background information on his previous offenses was unavailable.