September 23, 2026 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at approximately 11:12 a.m., deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to a call for service in the 39000 block of Forest Road, in Big Bear Lake. The reporting party requested law enforcement assistance after making a suspicious discovery in the crawlspace under the residence. Big Bear Station deputies and personnel from the Big Bear Fire Department responded to the location and discovered unidentified human remains in the crawlspace beneath the residence.
 
Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, responded and assumed the investigation. An autopsy was conducted on the remains, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. Despite DNA testing and continued investigative efforts, the identity of the deceased remained unknown, and the investigation remained unsolved.
 
In 2023, the Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team assumed the investigation and submitted the remains for additional investigative DNA analysis. The remains were ultimately identified as those of Jill Maiorca. Detectives learned Jill had been reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007. Through continued investigation, detectives identified Jill’s former husband, Jeff Maiorca, as a suspect in her murder. Evidence developed during the investigation indicates Jill was murdered in November 2006. Her remains were concealed beneath the Forest Road residence without the homeowner’s knowledge.

On September 21, 2026, Jeff Maiorca was arrested in connection with Jill’s murder and taken into custody without incident. Maiorca was booked into the Big Bear Jail for Penal Code section 187(a), Murder.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Jill Maiorca’s disappearance or murder is asked to contact Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles, Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, at (909) 890-4916.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.  Online reporting is also available at: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.

DATE: September 21, 2026
INCIDENT: Cold Case Homicide Investigation Update
LOCATION: 39000 Block of Forest Road, Big Bear
SUSPECT(S): Jeff Maiorca, 53-years-old, Resident of Big Bear
VICTIM(S): Jill Maiorca, 29-years-old, Resident of Big Bear Lake
Refer: Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles
Station: Homicide Detail
Phone No. 909-890-4916
Case No. DR# 162000907 H#2020-122

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department