A Southern California man is accused of murdering his ex-wife nearly 20 years ago and hiding her body in a crawl space “without the homeowner’s knowledge,” authorities said.
Jeff Maiorca was arrested Monday, September 21, in the death of his former spouse, Jill Maiorca, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Jeff, 53, was charged with murder, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, September 22.
Jill was 29 when she was reported missing from Big Bear Lake, where she lived in the San Bernardino National Forest, in 2007.
In October 2020, unidentified human remains — later confirmed as belonging to Jill — were found in a crawl space at a Big Bear Lake home located along Forest Road, according to the sheriff’s office.
That morning, deputies responded to the residence after a person made a “suspicious discovery” in their crawl space.
Before the discovered remains were positively identified as Jill, an autopsy revealed she had been killed, per the release.
“Despite DNA testing and continued investigative efforts, the identity of the deceased remained unknown, and the investigation remained unsolved,” the sheriff’s office said.
In 2023, cold case investigators with the sheriff’s department had the remains analyzed further, eventually confirming it was Jill’s body.
Investigators ultimately linked Jeff to the alleged crime, with evidence seeming to indicate he killed Jill in November 2006, according to the sheriff’s office.
Prosecutors claim Jeff used a knife to kill her, per a felony complaint viewed by People.
A potential motive for the murder wasn’t specified by law enforcement.
Jeff filed for divorce from Jill in 2004, according to records viewed by SFGATE.
When arrested on Monday, Jeff was reportedly apprehended at a library in Big Bear Lake. He was booked into the Big Bear Jail.
Information on his legal representation wasn’t immediately available.
Records viewed by Us show Jeff is ineligible for bail. He’s currently detained at the High Desert Jail. A court appearance hasn’t been scheduled yet.
The sheriff’s department continues to investigate the circumstances of Jill’s death.
“Anyone with information regarding Jill Maiorca’s disappearance or murder is asked to contact Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles, Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, at (909) 890-4916,” the agency said.
