Crime & Safety

Woman Found Dead In Swimming Pool; Murder Suspected

Menifee resident Justin Charles Smith, 29, has been arrested in connection with the alleged killing death of Darlene Flynn, 59. Her body was discovered Monday near the unincorporated communities of Homeland and Romoland.

By Patch Local Editor Toni McAllister

A Menifee man suspected of killing a woman in unincorporated area off Highway 74 is behind bars, police are reporting today.

Justin Charles Smith, 29, is being held on suspicion of murdering Menifee resident Darlene Flynn, 58, according to a report from Sgt. Todd Torrenti of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Homicide Unit.

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The incident unfolded Monday around 2 p.m. when deputies from the Menifee Police Department were called to a residence in the 28000 block of Stone Lane, a street sandwiched between the unincorporated communities of Romoland and Homeland, just off Highway 74.

The caller indicated there was possible domestic disturbance at the residence, with “a male and female yelling,” Torrenti reported.

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“Officers arrived and attempted to make contact at the front door. After several attempts, no one answered. While attempting to make entry, officers noticed a shirtless male running from the rear of the residence,” Torrenti wrote.

A perimeter was established and the man -- later identified as Smith -- was found near the intersection of Briggs Road and Highway 74 in Menifee, Torrenti continued.

Meanwhile, deputies made a gruesome discovery when they found a dead woman in the swimming pool of the Stone Lane property. She was later identified as Flynn, who lived at the residence, and according to Torrenti’s report she had injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.

It is not clear what the relationship was between Smith and Flynn and whether he lived at the Stone Lane home.

Smith is being held at Robert Presley Detention Center and no bail has been set for him at press time. He is due in court Thursday, according to jail records.



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