Homicide Investigation 

May 17, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:59 a.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a residence in the 79000 block of Montego Bay Drive, Bermuda Dunes, regarding a welfare check. Upon arrival, deputies located 80-year-old Donald Whitaker and 79-year-old Karen Whitaker at the residence, both suffering from traumatic injuries, and both were pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies secured the scene, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

No arrests have been made, and investigators are working to identify anyone involved in this incident. The Riverside Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Central Homicide Investigator Hood at (951) 955-2777 or Thermal Station Investigator Gutierrez at (760) 863-8990.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Mike Kelleher

File # C261350014

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office