Four Shot, Arson Suspected: New Details Released in Deadly Temecula Care Facility Fire

TEMECULA, CA — Nearly two months after a fire ripped through a Temecula-area home health care facility and five bodies were discovered, police have disclosed that four of those found inside had been shot and arson is suspected.

According to Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Wallace Clear, the Aug. 29 fire was likely a murder-suicide.

"Evidence located at the scene indicated the fire was caused by arson," Clear said in a news release Tuesday. "Autopsies of the deceased along with evidence at the scene revealed four of the fire victims suffered injuries consistent with gunshots."

Clear did not reveal which of the five had died from bullet wounds or a possible cause of death for the fifth occupant.

"At this time, the (sheriff's) Central Homicide Unit is investigating this incident as a possible murder-suicide," he said.

According to Clear, nothing more will be disclosed until the investigation has concluded.

The remains of the five were discovered inside the Renee Jennex Small Family Care Home in the 41000 block of Cruz Way, near Calle Nopal, early on the morning of Aug. 29.

Clear characterized the ensuing investigation as "tedious," involving the scrutiny of "volumes of documents related to the residence and its occupants."

Homicide detectives have been coordinating with county fire department arson investigators to piece together what might have happened.

Milford Battison, 37, Richard Driskill, 37, Miguel Ferreya, 31, and Jared Prudhomme, 26, died in the home, along with the facility's administrator, 50-year-old James Jennex.

All the decedents, except Jennex, were developmentally disabled, according to published reports.

California Department of Social Services officials said the facility was licensed in 2003 and underwent inspections in 2011, 2012 and 2015.

The fire was reported just after 5 a.m., and a county engine crew reached the location less than 10 minutes later. According to sheriff's officials, after knocking down the flames, firefighters stumbled onto the remains of the occupants.

Reports indicate the victims were all ambulatory and should have been able to escape the burning property unassisted.

Clear asked anyone with information to contact the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2211.

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone / City News Service contributed to this report.