The Murrieta Police Department announced arrests in a murder-for-hire case involving the death of 30-year-old Aaron “AJ” Parr, found dead in a Southern California apartment on January 13, 2026. Investigators describe the case as unusual for their community and have charged four suspects spanning multiple states.
Arrests Spanning Four Suspects Across Three States
Initial arrests in the case included Ignacia Perkins, Parr’s ex-girlfriend, and James Petri, an acquaintance of Perkins, both in California. Later, authorities arrested Jerry Wheeler, 34, in Brookhaven, Georgia, and Kenneth Maxwell, 39, in Midfield, Alabama. Wheeler and Maxwell face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and special circumstance allegations related to financial gain. Both await extradition to California.
Coordinated Investigation and Charges
The case began with police responding to calls at the Arbors at California Oaks apartments. From the outset, investigators treated Parr’s death as a homicide. As the investigation progressed, collaboration with law enforcement agencies nationwide helped uncover the broader conspiracy to carry out the alleged financially motivated murder. Arrests involved support from Brookhaven Police, North Metro SWAT, and FBI teams in Alabama.
Community Context and Family Response
Murrieta, typically a low-crime area with rates below the national average, has been shaken by the case. Parr’s family expressed a mixture of grief and relief following the arrests, emphasizing the ongoing pain of their loss. They have also established fundraising efforts to assist with funeral and unexpected expenses. Authorities indicate that the investigation’s active phase is now complete as they prepare for trial, though specific details on the plot and each suspect’s role have not been released due to the case’s ongoing nature.
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