Riverside County man accused of killing roommate and burying body pleads not guilty

The Riverside County man who allegedly… killed his roommate and buried his body in her backyard pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday.

Officers were called to the 8700 block of Sylvan Drive in the Arlanza neighborhood around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, after receiving reports of a resident who had not been seen or heard from for several days a statement from the Riverside Police Department said.

“During their initial investigation, officers learned that one of the residents had claimed he killed his roommate,” the statement said. “This resident was arrested and a search of the property revealed a possible crime scene in the backyard.”

The statement said homicide detectives were called to the scene along with specialists from the department’s forensic division.

The body’s canines were alerted to an area of ​​freshly disturbed soil in the backyard, and while digging, investigators found human remains.

Officers from the Riverside Sheriff-Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to complete the recovery of the body from the “makeshift grave,” the statement said. They identified the victim as 31-year-old Bradley Minder.

The suspect, now identified as 48-year-old Richard Thomas Martinez, has been charged with murder and is being held without bail. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to murder and other crimes, officials said.

Minder’s mother told CBS News Los Angeles that he was living in the house with his uncle when Martinez was also allowed to move in. She also said the suspect was arrested just days before the murder for attacking Minder’s uncle but was released.

In a written statement, Minder’s family said in part: “Bradley Minder was the gentlest soul to ever walk this earth. He was a kind friend and soon a deeply loyal brother and uncle. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world.” . He forgave easily and treated everyone with pure, unadulterated love, and he was a natural protector with a heart of gold.”

It is unclear when Martinez will next appear in court.

Anyone who knows more is asked to contact RPD at (951) 353-7213.