UPDATED: 2 Arrested in Disappearance of 71-Year-Old Murrieta Woman

UPDATED at 5:15 p.m. July 15, and again at 10:58 p.m. July 15:

Two people have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a 71-year-old Murrieta woman, police said late Monday afternoon.

Investigators had been on scene in the 27000 block of Graystone Lane most of Monday, and as of 5 p.m. “the decision was made to arrest two subjects in connection with this case,” said Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, in a written statement.

Arrested were Kyle Roger McLean, 21, of Murrieta on suspicion of homicide, and 18-year-old Neil Michael Erickson of Wildomar, on suspicion of accessory to commit murder, according to the statement from Conrad.

The missing woman, 71-year-old Catherine Sutton—not 75 years old as police previously reported—had not been located as of publication time, he said.

Murrieta police had responded to the 27000 block of Graystone—a cul de sac in a quiet neighborhood east of Interstate 215 off of Whitewood Road—just after 10:17 p.m. Sunday when a family member reported Sutton missing.

The caller was concerned for her welfare, the lieutenant said.

“(At midnight), officers on scene determined the case was suspicious in nature and Murrieta police investigators were called out,” Conrad said. “Over the course of the next 16 hours, investigators spoke to multiple witnesses and several potential suspects. The residence and scene were processed for evidence. Ultimately, this incident transitioned into a homicide investigation.”

Conrad declined to state the nature of the relationship between the suspects and the alleged victim because the investigation was ongoing.

He expected police to be on scene until at least 9 p.m. Monday.

Anyone with information in the case was encouraged to call the Murrieta police dispatch line at 951-696-3615.

Jail records for the two suspects showed McLean was being held on no bail at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. 

Previous arrest records show McLean was arrested June 24 in the 27000 block of Graystone Lane on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor drug charges. According to records, he posted bail and was due in court next month in that case.

Erickson was being held in lieu of $5,000 bail, jail records showed.

Editor’s Note: The outcome of these allegations, as well as the facts, may change as the case progresses through the legal system. Not all details of each investigation are made public. All items are alleged to have occurred. There should be no assumption of guilt.

ORIGINAL POST 1 p.m. July 15:

Crime scene tape cordoned off a cul de sac in a quiet Murrieta neighborhood Monday morning as the street was being treated as a crime scene for possible evidence in the case of a 75-year-old woman who was allegedly reported missing Sunday.

According to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, officers were dispatched to the 26000 block of Graystone at 10:17 p.m. Sunday in response to a radio call about the missing woman.

“The caller, a family member of the missing female, was concerned for the woman’s well being,” Conrad said, in a written statement. “Officers responded to the location and determined the case involved suspicious circumstances. Murrieta police investigators were called out to the scene.”

Neighbors said they began noticing the police activity on Graystone Lane early Monday.

The cul de sac is “being treated as a crime scene,” Conrad said. “The scene is currently being processed for evidence. Investigators are canvassing the area for any witnesses.”

Police are not releasing the identity or a photo of the allegedly missing woman at this time, the lieutenant said.

A California Department of Justice Forensic Unit was on scene, as well as the Murrieta Police mobile command center.

Unmarked law enforcement vehicles were parked nearby on Ranch House Street.

Murrieta police were allowing only residents who live on Graystone to come and go.