Man Charged in July 2020 Killing of Victim Found in Burned Vehicle

The case of a 34-year-old man charged with murder has taken a new turn as he is now being charged with a July 2020 killing in Thermal, California. Ruben Corria Esquivel Jr. of Coachella faces charges of murder, arson, possessing explosives and ammunition, being a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm as a narcotic addict. He also faces allegations of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and having more than one offense.

The incident occurred on July 18, 2020, when deputies responded to a vehicle fire on Pierce Street. After extinguishing the blaze, the body of Luis Pinedo, 34, was discovered inside the burned vehicle. Initially deemed suspicious, the case was upgraded to a homicide investigation after evidence of “homicidal violence” was found during a medical examination.

Arson investigators determined that the fire was caused by a poured liquid on the asphalt, leading to the vehicle. Pinedo was found to have sustained a single gunshot wound to the head before being burned. The Riverside County coroner’s office identified the body as Pinedo’s using dental records.

Esquivel was identified as the suspect in Pinedo’s death through interviews, phone analysis, call records, and social media records. He was allegedly found with severe burns on his chest, face, and arm the morning after the murder. Phone evidence allegedly showed photos of his burned face and online searches related to burned vehicles, dead bodies, and homicides in Riverside County.

Esquivel is currently awaiting trial for a separate murder case in which he is accused of shooting a 42-year-old man in Indio. He has previous felony convictions for attempted carjacking and parole violations.

The arraignment date for the July 2020 murder case has not been set yet, but Esquivel’s next court appearance will be for the February 2020 Indio homicide. He is currently held at the Robert Presley Detention Center on $1 million bail. Anyone with additional information about the case is urged to contact the sheriff’s Central Homicide Investigator..