Wildomar Teen Still Being Held In Homicide Investigation; Body Not In Coroner's Office

The Wildomar teen arrested July 15 on suspicion of being an accessory to murder remains in jail, but the Riverside County Coroner's Office does not have a body, it was confirmed today.

Neil Michael Erickson, 18, is being held at Southwest Detention Center in lieu of $500,000 bail for his alleged role in the death of Catherine Sutton, 71. According to the jail records, he is being held on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.

Kyle Roger McLean, 21, of Murrieta was also arrested in the case and is being held at the same French Valley facility on suspicion of murder and possession of a controlled substance, according to the jail records.

Bail has not been set for McLean. Jail records show he was arrested June 24 in the 27000 block of Graystone Lane on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor drug-related crimes. According to the jail records, he posted bail and was due in court next month.

Both men are due in court Wednesday regarding this week's case.

It is not clear if the body of Sutton may be at a hospital, but as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday the coroner's office did not have the case.

"We don't have it [the body]," is all Sgt. Brent Sechrest of the Riverside County Coroner's Office would say Tuesday afternoon.

The investigation into Sutton's disappearance began Sunday around 10:17 p.m. when officers responded to a home in the 27000 block of Graystone Lane in Murrieta. Police were there regarding a call about a missing person, later identified as Sutton.

The call was made by a family member, according to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad. 

When officers arrived at the Graystone home, they determined the case was suspicious in nature and Murrieta Police investigators were called out. 

“Over the course of the next 16 hours, investigators spoke to multiple witnesses and several potential suspects. The residence and scene were processed for evidence. Ultimately, this incident transitioned into a homicide investigation,” a statement from the Murrieta PD read.

At 5 p.m. Monday, the decision was made to arrest McLean and Erickson, according to the statement.

Conrad declined to state the nature of the relationship between the suspects and the alleged victim.

Police have not released a photo of Sutton.