FRESNO, CA (KMJ)- A man wanted in connection with the death of woman near Strathmore, has apparently committed suicide.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department says 47 year-old Jesus Ruiz was believed to have killed a 37 year-old woman, and then dumped her body in an Orange Grove. The body was later discovered on April 6th.
A photo of the woman’s snake ring (seen above) went out on social media, including KMJ’s and helped identify her, and also led to tips on where the suspect could be hiding.
On Wednesday, law enforcement searched two homes – one near Lindsey, one in Watsonville before arriving at a home in the 17,800 block of road 208 in Porterville.
“When we arrived at the location to attempt to make contact with him, our personnel heard what they believed to be a single gun shot come from inside the residence. At that time, they strongly believed that the suspect had committed suicide. – Tulare County Undersheriff Robin Skiles.
Tulare County Undersheriff Robin Skiles says later the Department’s robot located Ruiz’s body inside of the house.
They are not yet able to release the victim’s name until her next of kin is notified.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
