RivCo Cold Case Revival Yields Arrest In La Quinta 23+ Years Later

LA QUINTA, CA — A La Quinta man was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing another in Riverside County over 23 years ago.

Alex Anthony Uribe, a now 46, was identified as a suspect in the murder after a cold case search for information was shared across the county. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team assisted Riverside County Sheriff's Department in identifying and arresting Uribe, who was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center on pending murder charges, according to Sgt. Jarred Bishop.

"The Riverside Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation and for helping provide justice for Marquez and closure for his family after more than twenty years," Bishop said. "Uribe is believed to be the only suspect involved in this incident."

This investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information will be released at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Robertson or Deputy Lucifora at (951) 955–2777.

Murder In 2002

On August 11, 2002, at approximately 4:15 a.m., a La Quinta man was found shot to death inside his vehicle. Hernan Marquez, a 27-year-old Indio resident, was later identified as the victim.

"Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Indio Station (now Thermal Station) responded to a report of a traffic collision near the intersection of Avenida Mendoza and Calle Durango in La Quinta.

"Upon arrival, deputies located Marquez suffering from gunshot wounds," according to the original reports. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation.

"The investigation revealed that Marquez had been attending a house party in the 52200 block of Avenida Mendoza, where an altercation occurred," according to the cold case report. "During the incident, as Marquez was leaving the location, he was shot by an unknown individual. Marquez then drove away from the area at a high rate of speed, eventually losing control of his vehicle and colliding with several parked vehicles."

Despite an extensive investigation, the case ultimately went cold, and no arrests were made.

"Almost 20 years later, as part of the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to review unsolved homicide cases, investigators from the Central Homicide Unit recently reexamined this case," Bishop said. "Through this review, investigators identified several potential leads and follow-up tasks, aided by advancements in forensic testing. Based on this information, the case was officially reopened."

In an effort to provide justice for Marquez and closure for his family, the Central Homicide Unit requested the public’s assistance. Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to come forward.

This investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information will be released at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Robertson or Deputy Lucifora at (951) 955-2777.