Moreno Valley murder suspect found dead

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- The suspect accused of killing two people in Moreno Valley and injuring a deputy was found dead early Wednesday morning.

The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was found at about 2:15 a.m. in an area just off Pigeon Pass Road and Peoria Lane. Authorities say during the search in the morning, a K-9 picked up a scent and led officers to the body. An assault rifle was located nearby.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department believes there are no outstanding suspects.

The fatal shootings appeared to have started at a home in the 25500 block of Delphinium Avenue near Kitching Street. Derek Hardy, 58, was found dead in his home on Tuesday.

From there, the suspect moved north to a Shell gas station in the the 23500 block of Sunnymead Ranch Parkway, where Hardy's mother-in law, a 74-year-old woman identified by family as Wilma Patterson, was shot and killed while driving her SUV.

After the shooting at the gas station, authorities responded to Pigeon Pass Road on reports of an armed suspect in the area. When deputies arrived, the suspect began shooting at law enforcement. Officers returned fire.

One Riverside County sheriff's deputy was injured during the confrontation. The deputy was treated at an area hospital and has been released.

The suspect fled into the rural neighborhood and was not seen again until the body was found Wednesday. It was unclear if his wounds were self-inflicted.

A family member indicated the suspect may be related and have a mental illness, but the police chief could not confirm.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Investigator Peters of the Riverside Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Bishop of the Moreno Valley Police Department at (951) 486-6700.