NBC News Top Stories | California woman dead in murder-suicide may have given thousands to a scammer claiming to be Tom Selleck by Minyvonne Burke

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Donald Whitaker, 80, and his wife Karen, 79, were found dead on May 15 in their Bermuda Dunes home in a suspected murder‑suicide, after a welfare check was requested. Investigators say the couple had been victims of a prolonged financial elder‑abuse scam in which a fraudster pretended to be actor Tom Selleck, gaining Karen’s trust through Facebook messages and repeatedly asking for money via gift cards and other bogus payments that totalled thousands of dollars. Despite warnings from friends, law enforcement, and adult‑protective services, Karen continued sending money, and the abuse was reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities found no evidence the scammer was involved in the deaths, and Tom Selleck has no connection to the case. The tragedy highlights the vulnerability of seniors to sophisticated online scams.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-woman-dead-murder-suicide-may-thousands-scammer-claiming-to-rcna346560

#TomSelleck #DonaldWhitaker #KarenWhitaker #RiversideCounty #SheriffsOffice #JoyMiedecke

CALFIRE RRU:

VERONA FIRE - EVACUATION UPDATES
Evacuation warnings have been canceled and areas returned to normal status for the following
zones:
« RVC-1285-B
« RVC-1286
Residents returning to the area are advised to use caution, as emergency personnel and equipment
remain in the area conducting suppression and containment operations.
Map and Information: https:/Protect. Genasys.com
Road Closures
The traffic control point at Juniper Springs Road and Dogwood Lane has been lifted
We appreciate the patience and cooperation of residents and the community as crews continue
suppression and containment efforts.
For additional information and updates on the Verona Fire, please visit: linktr.ee/calfirerru

5./21/26 1549

#VeronaFire #RRU #RiversideCounty #wildfires

CALFIRE RRU:

BAIN FIRE — EVACUATION UPDATES
Evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation warnings for the following zones:
« Zone JUR-0181A
North of Santa Ana River Bottom, south of Limonite Avenue
+ Zone JUR-0180A
North of Pedley Sub Station, south of Santa Ana River Bottom
In addition, evacuation warnings have been canceled and areas returned to normal status for the
following zones:
+ JUR-0094-B
+ JUR-0095-B
+ JUR-0097-B
+ JUR-0098-B
« JUR-0184
+ JUR-0185-B
« JUR-0179-A
« JUR-0179-B
« JUR-0181-D
+ JUR-0176-A
+ RIV-0186-A
+ RIV-0306-A
+ RIV-0306
« NOR-0305-B
Residents retuming to the area are advised to use caution, as emergency personnel and equipment
remain in the area conducting suppression and containment operations.
Map and Information:
https://Protect. Genasys.com

5/21/26 1547

#BainFire #wildfires #CALFIRE #RRU #RiversideCounty

ABC News: Top Stories | WATCH: California couple found dead after sending money to Tom Selleck impostor

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Donald and Karen Whitaker, a couple from Riverside County, California, were found inside their home on May 15 with severe, traumatic injuries, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Police say the pair had been scammed by an individual impersonating actor Tom Selleck, who convinced them to send money to the impostor. The deception culminated in the couple’s injuries and subsequent death, highlighting the dangers of online fraud and identity theft.

Read more: https://abcnews.com/video/133195737/

#TomSelleck #DonaldWhitaker #KarenWhitaker #RiversideCounty #onlinescam

Multiple fires in Riverside County injure five and prompt evacuations

📰 Original title: Bain fire injures 4 in Riverside County; civilian drones interfere with firefighting aircraft

🤖 IA: It's not clickbait ✅
👥 Users: It's not clickbait ✅

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/multiple-fires-in-riverside-county-injure-five-and-prompt-evacuations.html?utm_source=mastodon_world&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_world

#incidents #wildfires #riversidecounty #evacuations

Multiple fires in Riverside County injure five and prompt evacuations

📰 Original title: Bain fire injures 4 in Riverside County; civilian drones interfere with firefighting aircraft

🤖 IA: It's not clickbait ✅
👥 Users: It's not clickbait ✅

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/multiple-fires-in-riverside-county-injure-five-and-prompt-evacuations.html?utm_source=mastodon_social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_social

#incidents #wildfires #riversidecounty #evacuat...

Not following this one, but a lot of evacuations firing off in Riverside County, west of Hemet.

https://protect.genasys.com/location?z=11.565854819287335&latlon=33.78401801763209%2C-117.08163631014918

#wildfires #CAwx #Riversidecounty #Evacuations

Support the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter with much-needed supplies 🐾 Shop their Amazon Wish List and make a difference today: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SZFKD40HJ1CJ?ref_=wl_share 💙

#animalrescue #adoptdontshop #shelterpets #riversidecounty #donatetoday

CALFIRE:

FIRE CHIEF CLOSES HAZARDOUS HIKING AREAS THROUGHOUT RIVERSIDE COUNTY

RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2026
PERRIS, CA – CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish recently received
approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to close six hazardous hiking areas throughout the region effective May 1, 2026. The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas:

• Eagle Canyon/Tin Mine (east of Corona)
• Steel Peak (north of Lake Elsinore)
• Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet)
• North Mountain and Indian Canyon (south of Banning, north of San Jacinto)
• Ramona Bowl (south of Hemet) *Open daily from sunrise until 12:00 P.M.

“The proactive measure of temporarily closing these hiking areas is being implemented to protect residents, visitors, and first responders, and to reduce the likelihood of wildfire incidents that could threaten surrounding communities,” stated Fire Chief Fish.

#hiking #wildfires #RivCo #RiversideCounty

https://files.constantcontact.com/4ddc52f3801/642c55b1-7662-4df7-a3b3-a09bba89ba11.pdf

Jurupa Valley man dies after medical emergency in Riverside County jail

📰 Original title: Riverside County man dies while in custody, sheriff's office says

🤖 IA: It's not clickbait ✅
👥 Usuarios: It's not clickbait ✅

View full AI summary: https://killbait.com/en/jurupa-valley-man-dies-after-medical-emergency-in-riverside-county-jail/?redirpost=841a2728-89a6-4a2b-9612-aa2197a77c09

#incidents #custodydeath #riversidecounty #jail