Nearly Two Years After Brian Nestande’s Death, Sheriff’s Department Confirms Active Homicide Investigation

It has been nearly two years since former Riverside County Supervisor and Palm Desert resident Brian Nestande was found dead in his home on March 6, 2024. For much of that time, investigators described his death as an overdose. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department now confirms the case is an active homicide investigation.

Nestande was discovered by friends, including Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, who went to check on him after not hearing from him for several days. They entered the home through an unlocked sliding glass door and found him unresponsive on the floor near his desk.

Deputies initially believed Nestande may have died from a medical condition. But toxicology results later revealed cocaine and dangerously high concentrations of fentanyl in his system—levels consistent with a rapid fatal overdose. Investigators say there were no clear signs indicating how the fentanyl was ingested, an unusual factor that raises further questions about how such a large dose entered his body.

The case is now being handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit, which is treating Nestande’s death as an active homicide. When asked for additional details, the department said no further information is being released due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Under California law, any individual who supplies fentanyl leading to a fatal overdose may face second-degree murder charges.

Our Mary Strong has reached out to Nestande’s wife, Palm Desert City Councilmember Gina Nestande, but have not yet received a response.

NBC Palm Springs will continue to monitor the investigation as detectives work to determine what led to Brian Nestande’s death.

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