Banning Death Ruled Murder, Beaumont Man Arrested: Police

BANNING, CA — A Beaumont man has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found this week in Banning, police say. The 21-year-old is accused of murder in the case.

The woman, whose identity is currently being withheld until family is notified, was found just before 10 a.m. Tuesday in a "suspicious circumstances" call in the 500 block of North Hathaway Street, according to Banning Police Chief Alex Diaz.

"There were several reports of a possible dead body at the location," Diaz said in a news release. "Once officers arrived on scene, they located a deceased female inside the location."

Diaz said it didn't take long for police to rule the woman's death a murder and detectives identified a suspect in the case soon thereafter.

"As the investigation continued, Detective were able to identify Devonta Leonard, a 21-year-old Beaumont resident, as a suspect in the case and [he] was placed under arrest," Diaz said.

Leonard was taken to the Banning jail, where he was booked on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, records show. He was being held without bail.

Anyone who may have information related to this case was asked to call the Banning Police Department Detective Bureau at 951-922- 1511.

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• Woman's Body Found In Banning

— Image via Banning Police