SAN DIEGO — A multi-agency investigation is underway after multiple sets of human remains were uncovered at a property in the Southcrest neighborhood. The probe, which began Tuesday, prompted law enforcement from the California Highway Patrol, San Diego Police Department, and the FBI to focus on a 74-year-old man identified as Dwight Rhone.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence on Newton Avenue, where they made the grim discovery. The investigation reportedly stems from separate homicide inquiries that had garnered attention in recent months. Lt. Travis Easter from the San Diego Police Department confirmed the findings and indicated that the remains would be analyzed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office to ascertain their identity and cause of death.
Rhone is currently considered a person of interest in the investigation related to these remains. He has a prior criminal history, including charges from October 2023 for allegedly murdering Bernardo Moreno alongside Interstate 905 and subsequently setting the victim’s body alight. Rhone is scheduled to appear in court next week to address these prior charges.
Documents reveal that Rhone had listed the property on Newton Avenue in a name-change petition back in 2022, and though he was evicted by the landlord later on, he was known to have lived there for some time. His landlord cited disturbing behavior and possible criminal activities as reasons for the eviction.
A 2017 civil court case sheds further light on Rhone’s past, where his sister-in-law sought a restraining order against him. She described his erratic behavior and allegations that he allowed individuals with substance abuse issues to reside in the home. The situation escalated to the point where she felt threatened, leading the court to mandate Rhone’s removal, though it remains uncertain how the order was enforced.
As investigators continued to scour the backyard of the property, neighbors expressed shock at the news but acknowledged that Rhone had a temper and was confrontational with those around him. An anonymous neighbor reflected on their experiences with Rhone, admitting they were not surprised by the investigation’s developments.
Meanwhile, the current residents of the home, sisters Judith Santos Gonzalez and Selena Estrada Gonzalez, were unexpectedly approached by authorities days before the search commenced. They were informed the investigation related to previous occupants and not their activities, creating an unsettling atmosphere in their home.
Witnesses reported a strong law enforcement presence throughout the neighborhood, with deputies frequently probing past associations tied to the property. Local police departments are urging anyone with additional information about Rhone’s potential involvement in criminal activities to reach out to the homicide division or submit tips anonymously.
As the investigation progresses, authorities remain vigilant, sifting through evidence in hopes of uncovering the truth behind the remains found at the Southcrest home. Investigators continue to assess the implications of this case, with updates expected as new findings emerge.