Detectives Arrest Riverside Man After Discovering Murder Victim Buried in Backyard, Roommate Dead
On October 15, 2024, at around 7:45 p.m., Riverside Police Officers responded to a home in the 8700 block of Sylvan Drive, in the Arlanza neighborhood, following reports that a resident had not been seen or heard from for several days. During the initial investigation, officers learned that one of the occupants had made statements claiming he killed his roommate. That occupant was detained, and a search of the property revealed a possible crime scene in the backyard. Due to the suspicious circumstances, detectives from the department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit, along with specialists from the Forensics Unit, responded to assist with the investigation. Riverside Sheriff’s cadaver canines also aided. The cadaver dogs alerted to freshly disturbed soil in the backyard. As detectives began digging the area, they found human remains. The Riverside Sheriff-Coroner’s Office responded to complete the recovery from the makeshift grave, identifying the victim as 31-year-old Bradley Minder of Riverside. Detectives arrested 48-year-old Richard Thomas Martinez of Riverside and later booked him into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder. He is currently being held without bail. Their preliminary investigation revealed the victim and
