Full Notification

On Thursday, October 31, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department- Apple Valley Station served a search warrant at a residence in the 20000 block of Outer Highway 18, in the town of Apple Valley. The search warrants were related to a theft/fraud investigation being conducted by deputies. When deputies were securing the residence and its occupants, they observed a male subject run from a side door. The male was taken into custody a short distance away and identified as Aaron Smith.

Deputies quickly discovered a fire in the area of the residence where Smith had run from. Deputies removed the detained occupants from the residence. The occupants told deputies that everyone was accounted for and out of the residence.

The fire quickly engulfed the entire residence and the Sheriff's Arson/Bomb Detail was requested to conduct an arson investigation. Arson investigators discovered the charred remains of a male in the room where the fire started, and Smith had run from. The Sheriff's Homicide Detail was requested to conduct the death investigation. Smith was booked at the West Valley Detention Center for a parole violation.

After days of investigating this crime, Investigators booked Smith for murder and arson. The confirmed identity of the deceased male has not been made and is pending dental record examination.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Detail, Detective Joe Steers 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 Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Sergeant Chris Fisher or Detective Joe Steers
Station: Homicide Detail
Phone No. (909)387-3589
Case No. 181306557 H#100-2013

John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department