1 Arrested In Fiery Death Of RivCo Woman

COACHELLA, CA — A Coachella man was arrested Thursday in connection with a woman who died in late October after she was discovered with significant burns to her body, authorities said.

On Oct. 31 at 12:17 a.m., deputies responded to reports of a burhs fire in the 51000 block of Cesar Chavez Street in Coachella. After arriving, deputies found a woman with severe burns. Despite being airlifted to a hospital and receiving treatment, she died of her injuries, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said Friday afternoon.

She was identified as 43-year-old Arlene Danielle Avila of Coachella. Police believe she was the victim of a homicide.

Investigators identified 40-year-old Richard Michael Carmona of Coachella as the suspect, police said. More than a month after Avila's death, Carmona was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for murder, authorities reported.

Anyone who may have information about this case is urged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Cline at 760-393–3531 or Thermal Station Investigator Glasper at 760-863–8990.