Full Notification

DATE/TIME: July 15, 2011 *UPDATE – January 9, 2015*

INCIDENT: PC 187- Homicide

LOCATION: Mile High Ranch Rd., Yucaipa

SUSPECT(S): Michael Angelo Perez, 37, Beaumont
Deserae Lenore James, 24, Beaumont
Virginia Marie Backlund, 24, Beaumont

VICTIM: Christine Kunstmann, 44 years old, Rancho Cucamonga

SUMMARY: Update - January 9, 2015
On Thursday, January 8, 2015 Investigators interviewed a third suspect, Virginia Backlund of Beaumont. At the conclusion of the interview, Backlund was booked at West Valley Detention Center for the torture and murder of Christine Kunstmann. Backlund is expected to be arraigned on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court.
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On July 15, 2011, a white female adult was found in a shallow grave on Mile High Ranch Rd., an unincorporated area of Yucaipa. The San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Homicide Detail was summoned to the scene and detectives began a homicide investigation. On July 22, 2011 the victim was positively identified as 44 year old, Christine Jo Kunstmann from Rancho Cucamonga.

In the weeks following the murder, numerous family and witnesses were interviewed. Kunstmann moved often, but frequently visited friends in the Beaumont area. Kunstmann spoke regularly with family and it was unlike her to go without family contact for more than a few days. Detectives learned Kunstmann was last seen by family on May 29, 2011 and her family filed a missing persons report on June 16, 2011.

On November 1, 2014, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Homicide Detail reopened the case. Detectives identified, located and interviewed numerous witnesses, which resulted in evidence identifying Michael Angelo Perez and Deserae James as suspects in this murder.

On January 6, 2015, Cold Case Detectives interviewed Perez and James. At the conclusion of the interview, Perez and James were arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center for the torture and murder of Christine Jo Kunstmann. Both are expected to be arraigned on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court.

The investigation into Christine Kunstmann’s murder is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detectives Jerry Davenport or Rob Trostle at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Jerry Davenport or Detective Rob Trostle

Station: Homicide Detail

Phone No. (909)387-3589

Case No. H# 2011-064 DR# 041100557

JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department