What We Know
Jill Maiorca: What We Know
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In October 2020, human remains were found in the crawl space beneath a home in Big Bear Lake, California. In 2023, advanced DNA analysis identified them as Jill Maiorca, 29, who had been reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007. On Sept. 21, 2026, San Bernardino County Sheriff's cold case detectives arrested her former husband, 53, on a murder charge. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent. Here's what the record shows.
What's confirmed
- November 2006Investigators believe Jill Maiorca was killed. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept.; NBC News; FOX 11
- 2007She is reported missing from Big Bear Lake. SBCSD; NBC News; ABC7
- Oct. 28, 2020Deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff's Station respond to a call about a discovery in the crawl space beneath a home and recover human remains. Officials say the remains were concealed there without the homeowner's knowledge. SBCSD; NBC News; FOX 11
- An autopsy rules the death a homicide. Initial DNA testing cannot identify her. SBCSD; NBC News; FOX 11
- 2023The sheriff's Cold Case Homicide Team submits the remains for advanced investigative DNA analysis, which identifies Jill Maiorca. SBCSD; NBC News; KTLA
- Sept. 21, 2026Detectives arrest her former husband, 53, in Big Bear. He is booked on a murder charge. SBCSD; FOX 11; KTLA
- Sept. 23, 2026His scheduled arraignment is continued to Oct. 12. ABC7; KTLA; NBC News
What we don't know
- Officials have not released a cause of death, a motive, or the evidence behind the arrest.
- He had not been arraigned as of Sept. 23, so no plea has been entered. ABC7; KTLA; Local12
- Some early reports differ on small details (the arrest date and the street name). We use the sheriff's release where they conflict and leave the rest out.
What happens next
His arraignment is set for Oct. 12, 2026. We'll update this when it happens.
Anyone with information can contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4916, or We-Tip anonymously at 1-844-909-3006. [SBCSD]
Sources
- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. release (SBSD Headquarters alert, Sept. 22, 2026)nixle.us/HMWET
- NBC Newsnbcnews.com/news/us-news/big-bear-california-maiorca-arrested-wife-remains-found-crawlspace-rcna599811
- ABC7 Los Angelesabc7.com/post/big-bear-lake-cold-case-former-husband-arrested-murder-dna-identifies-remains-jill-maiorca/19867911/
- KTLAktla.com/news/california/man-arrested-cold-case-murder-of-wife/
- FOX 11 Los Angelesfoxla.com/news/big-bear-lake-2006-cold-case-husband-arrested
This is an active case. The man charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. We do not name or show people who have not been convicted.
The crime and the discovery are not depicted. The photo of Jill Maiorca was released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. The document text shown is from the sheriff's public release, redacted by us.
Spot an error? Email corrections@undercurrentdaily.com. See our corrections policy. Have information about this case? Contact the investigating agency first.
