More than 20 years after California mom Suzanne Sites-Fenton disappeared from a mall parking lot and was killed, authorities have confirmed that Raymond Silva Gonzales was arrested in connection with the 2001 murder.
Sites-Fenton was found dead at the age of 32 in the desert near the intersections of Mariposa Road and Ranchero Street in Hesperia on April 16, 2001, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s Department.
Her husband reported her missing just two days before her body was found. Sites-Fenton’s family grew concerned when she didn’t return home from her job at Mervyn’s at the Victor Valley Mall.
“During the initial investigation, detectives learned Suzanne took a break and walked into the Mervyn’s parking lot and never returned to work or home,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department said in a January 15 press release.
Authorities added that Sites-Fenton was last seen alive by her coworkers when her shift ended.
One day after Sites-Fenton went missing, her stepfather found her 2000 blue Honda Civic parked behind a Big 5 Sporting Goods, according to the Daily Press. While her purse was found inside the car, police said that there were signs of a struggle inside the vehicle.
A man eventually came across Sites-Fenton’s body in a pile of trash on April 16, 2001. Investigators then determined that she had been kidnapped, sexually assaulted and shot, according to the news release.
While Sites-Fenton was killed more than two decades ago, investigators continued to look into the case in hopes of finding her killer. Cold case detectives had a major breakthrough in the case when they identified Silva Gonzales, 51, as a suspect in 2025, and detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest on January 15.
The police department noted in the press release that they worked with the Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division (SWAT) to complete the arrest.
Silva Gonzales was arrested and taken into custody at High Desert Detention Center, according to online records viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping. He was later released on an undisclosed bail on Wednesday, January 28.
He has been charged with kidnap to commit rape/robbery, rape by force/fear/etc and murder, according to online records.
A court date for Silva Gonzales has not yet been scheduled or revealed to the public. It is not currently clear if he has retained legal representation or entered a plea following his arrest.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department had no additional updates to share when contacted by Luxury Handbag Shopping.
Police have also not shared a reason or evidence regarding why they believe Silva Gonzales committed the murder. It is also not currently clear if Silva Gonzales and Sites-Fenton knew each other prior to her death or if they were in any way connected to each other.
The investigation into Sites-Fenton’s death is ongoing. Police are asking that anyone with information about Sites-Fenton’s murder contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Meanwhile, those who wish to remain anonymous can contact authorities at We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.
