Redlands murder suspect located in Fresno County

REDLANDS – A suspect in a brutal murder, believed to be armed and dangerous, turned himself in to law enforcement officials 300 miles away.

Tommy Mendivil

Tommy Lee Mendivil, 45, is suspected of stabbing his live-in girlfriend to death at a local storage facility around 2 p.m. Friday.  He turned himself in to the Clovis Police Department in Fresno County around 10 a.m. Saturday.

The San Bernardino County coroner has identified the victim as Pamela Nadine Kilpatrick, 35. She was a resident of Redlands.

Kilpatrick, who was found alive shortly after the attack, was taken to a local hospital where she died less than an hour later.

“This was a brutal murder,” said Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueerman, who praised the work of investigators. “Tommy Mendivil was armed and dangerous.”

Investigators narrowed in on Mendivil’s location and were able to convince him to surrender peacefully, Bueeerman said.

According to Clovis police, Mendivil was taken into custody without incident. Police also recovered a Pontiac mini-van that he was seen driving away from the alleged murder scene.

“Detectives immediately narrowed in on his location,” said Bueerman. “This was an example of the excellent police work typical (of Redlands Police Department).”

Investigators are still piecing together the events that led to Mendivil’s arrest and the stabbing.

“I don’t know what led to the identification of (Mendivil),” said Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker. “I don’t believe it was a statement from the victim.”