The Riverside County Man Who Allegedly killed His Roommate

A man from Riverside County, identified as Richard Thomas Martinez, is making headlines for allegedly killing his roommate and burying his body in their backyard. On Monday, Martinez pleaded not guilty to the serious charges against him.

The unsettling situation began on October 15, when police arrived at the 8700 block of Sylvan Drive. They were responding to reports about a resident who hadn’t been seen or heard from in days. During their investigation, officers detained one of the occupants after he allegedly made statements claiming he had killed his roommate. This led to a search of the property where detectives discovered what appeared to be a crime scene in the backyard.

Specialized homicide detectives and a Forensics Unit were called to assist in the investigation. The breakthrough came when cadaver dogs alerted authorities to freshly disturbed soil, prompting detectives to dig and ultimately uncover human remains. The victim was later identified as 31-year-old Bradley Minder.

Martinez, 48, is currently being held without bail and has a troubling history. Just days before the alleged murder, he was arrested for assaulting Minder’s uncle but was released prior to the incident. The victim’s family expressed their grief, describing Bradley as “the gentlest soul” who prioritized his family above all else.

As this case unfolds, we’ll keep an eye on Martinez’s next court appearance, which remains unclear. If you have any information about this case, Riverside Police Department encourages you to reach out at (951) 353-7213.