Calif. man arrested in connection with the 2006 death of wife whose body was found in a crawl space in 2020
09/29/2026 7:25 pm PDT
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (TCN) -- A 53-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder and use of a deadly weapon in connection with the death of his wife, who was reported missing in 2007.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a call for assistance after a resident found something suspicious in a crawl space in Big Bear Lake, California, on Oct. 28, 2020. The discovery was confirmed to be human remains and an investigation began. An autopsy found the victim’s manner of death was a homicide, but the person’s identity remained unknown.
In 2023, the victim’s DNA underwent additional analysis, and the remains were identified as belonging to Jill Maiorca, a woman who was reported missing in 2007. Evidence determined she had likely been killed at the age of 29 in November 2006 and had her remains hidden under the home where she was later found without the homeowner’s knowledge.
Jill Maiorca’s husband at the time, Jeff Maiorca, was identified as a suspect in connection with her death, according to the sheriff’s office.
The New York Post reports Jeff Maiorca had filed for divorce from Jill Maiorca in Los Angeles County in 2004. Additional records obtained by the Guardian state their divorce involved children.
KABC reports that investigators have not disclosed a motive.
Jeff Maiorca was arrested on Sept. 21 and booked into jail on suspicion of murder. According to court records viewed by the New York Post, he was charged with murder and use of a deadly weapon during his court hearing on Sept. 23. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 12.
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