Police Arrest Parolee Accused in Desert Hot Springs Murder

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – A parolee accused of killing a woman in Desert Hot Springs was behind bars Thursday without bail.

Joseph Cantu Montanez, 41, of Desert Hot Springs was arrested Monday and booked at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of murder and violating his parole.

Jail records indicate Montanez could make his first court appearance Thursday, but charges had not been filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office as of late Thursday morning.

Montanez is accused of killing 39-year-old Andrea Reyes, who was found dead at her home in the 15600 block of Palm Drive about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Officers were sent to the location to conduct a welfare check and discovered Reyes dead inside.

Officers "obtained information" that pinpointed Montanez as a suspect and arrested him Monday night, police said. Additional information about the investigation was not released.

Montanez had an active warrant out for his arrest for an alleged parole violation from October, court records show. He has felony convictions in Riverside County including robbery, false imprisonment and vehicle theft.