MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Police Department has announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with a homicide investigation that began earlier this year. On January 13, 2026, at approximately 9:13 a.m., officers responded to a call at The Arbors at California Oaks apartments, located at 24375 Jackson Avenue. Upon arrival, police discovered an adult male deceased inside an apartment. Preliminary findings led investigators to classify the death as a homicide.
Following a 16-day investigation, authorities took two suspects into custody on January 29, 2026. Ignacia Cadaos Perkins, a 40-year-old resident of Murrieta and the victim’s ex-girlfriend, was arrested locally. She has been booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. The second suspect, 43-year-old James Lawrence Petri of Birmingham, Alabama, was arrested in his home state. Petri is currently awaiting extradition to California to face criminal charges.
Both individuals face charges including murder under Penal Code §187(a), murder for financial or other consideration under Penal Code §190.2(a)(1), and criminal conspiracy to commit murder under Penal Code §182(a)(1).
The Murrieta Police Department credited the arrests to the efforts of their detectives and assistance from several law enforcement agencies. These partners include the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the Birmingham Police Department, the FBI Birmingham Safe Streets Task Force, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
While the primary suspects are in custody, the investigation remains active. Officials stated that no further details will be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the case.
