The Coroner has identified a woman found dead along Highway 74 in Homeland on Aug. 12.
The victim, who is believed to have been struck by a vehicle, was identified by fingerprints as Carolina Melissa Davenport-Rios, 40, of Perris. She was discovered by CHP officers responding at 9:39 p.m. that night to the report of a deceased person near the roadway on Highway 74 east of Steinhoff Avenue.
The case is being investigated as a hit-and-run, according to a CHP news release. Investigators believe Davenport-Rios was struck by a vehicle prior to being discovered. The make and driver of the vehicle have not been identified.
The CHP is asking anyone who traveled on State Route 74 in the Homeland area between Aug. 7 and Aug. 10 who witnessed anything unusual, or may have surveillance or dash-camera footage from the area, to contact the CHP Temecula Area office at 951-66-4300. Information may also be provided after normal business hours by contacting Border Division Communications Center at 858-637-3800. Â
It is not known how long the deceased had been at that location. The discovery of this body occurred on the same night as the fatal hit-and-run involving 15-year-old Koa Quintanilla on Briggs Road.
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