IE Man Arrested For Murder 20 Years After His Wife's Remains Found In Crawlspace: Sheriff

BIG BEAR, CA — A 53-year-old man has been arrested for murder nearly 20 years after his wife was reported missing in Big Bear, authorities said.

The arrest happened almost six years after deputies responded to a call on Oct. 28, 2020 reporting a "suspicious discovery" in the crawlspace under a residence in Big Bear. Deputies and fire personnel responded to the location and discovered unidentified human remains in the crawlspace, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. An autopsy was conducted on the remains, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.

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Despite DNA testing, the identity of the deceased person 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 identified as those of 29-year-old Jill Maiorca, authorities said.

Detectives learned Jill had been reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007. The investigation continued, and detectives identified the woman's former husband, Jeff Maiorca, as a suspect in her murder, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said evidence indicated Jill was murdered in November 2006. Her remains were concealed beneath the residence without the homeowner's knowledge.

On Monday, Jeff Maiorca was arrested in connection with Jill's murder and taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Big Bear Jail for murder, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation was asked to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office at 909-890-4916. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.