Campbell said volunteers and family members searching for Torres located the body near Highway 79 east of Highway 371 at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The family is awaiting positive identification of the remains, Campbell said.
Investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and were processing evidence Saturday afternoon.
Torres, 61, of Pauma Valley, was reported missing May 12. Authorities later identified 66-year-old Derek Arnett as a person wanted for questioning in connection with Torres’ disappearance. Arnett was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Temecula, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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May 23, 2026 — 9:30 am UPDATE:
Community rallies to search for missing Pauma Valley resident Frank “Paco” Torres
May 23 – UPDATE: Authorities and volunteers continue searching for a missing Pauma Valley man more than a week after he disappeared, while the man wanted for questioning in the case was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and private investigator Anthony Campbell.
Frank “Paco” Torres, 61, was reported missing by family members May 12. Investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Southwest Station began an investigation around 7 a.m. on May 13 after Torres’ abandoned vehicle was located near a park in Temecula. Due to what authorities described as suspicious circumstances, the case was turned over to the Central Homicide Unit.
During the investigation, detectives identified 66-year-old Derek Arnett, reported as the missing’s brother-in-law, as a person wanted for questioning in connection with Torres’ disappearance.
Investigators later located Arnett inside a vehicle near Wolf Valley Road and Wolf Valley Creek Drive in Temecula. According to the sheriff’s Sgt. Alberto Loureiro, the vehicle stopped in a parking lot off Pechanga Parkway. Deputies believed Arnett may have been armed, prompting the response of the Riverside Sheriff’s Emergency Services Team.
When deputies contacted Arnett, they discovered he had injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies attempted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but Arnett was pronounced dead at the scene.
Torres has not been found, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Friends, family members, and volunteers continue daily searches in the Aguanga and Warner Springs areas, according to Campbell, who said he has known Torres since both attended Fallbrook High School.
“The family is pleading for community support to help find their loved one,” Campbell said.
Campbell said information provided by investigators and license plate reader data has helped volunteers narrow their search efforts.
According to the timeline provided, the suspect’s truck was reportedly captured traveling eastbound on Temecula Parkway on May 13, around 9 a.m. The vehicle was later detected near Butterfield Stage Road and Pauba Road before being recorded on Cahuilla Road near Highway 371 at approximately 8:58 a.m. The next reported detection was near Warner Springs Elementary School at about 10 a.m., leaving what searchers describe as an unaccounted-for 30-min gap in travel time.
Sheriffs and volunteers searching the area believe the gap could indicate the vehicle may have traveled onto side roads or dirt roads off the main highway, where Torres’s body may be found.
Torres is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 187 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone wishing to assist with search efforts can contact Jr. Torres at 760-484-3258.
Anyone with information regarding Torres’ whereabouts is urged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Hernandez at 951-955-2777 or Southwest Station Investigator Mills at 951-696-3000. Anyone wanting to contact private investigator Anthony Campbell can call 760-828-1423.
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UPDATE: May 22, 2026
Friends, family and volunteers continue to search in the area of Aguanga and the Warner Springs area for Frank Torres, aka “Paco” who has been missing since the 12th of May, according to Private Investigator Tony Campbell, who has known the missing since high school.
The family is pleading for community support to find their loved one. The group meets daily to search for Torres.
The timeline provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. is as follows:
According to license plate readers, the suspect’s truck was spotted on Temecula Parkway eastbound on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 9 am. The truck was then spotted by license plate readers going through Butterfield Stage and Pauba Road and then Cahuilla Rd on Highway 371 at 8:58 am. There is an unaccounted-for time gap between the traffic lights at 371 at 8:58 am and Warner Springs Elementary School at 10 am. There is 36 minutes unaccounted for between those two traffic lights.
That means if you turn off the main highway onto any side road or dirt road, the search should extend at least 18 minutes to account for the travel time. This is where volunteers are searching.
If people want to join the search they can contact Jr. Torres 760-484-3258.
A map of the timeline from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. showing when the suspect’s truck traveled through traffic lights along Hwy 79, Temecula Parkway into the Anza/Aguanga/Warner Springs area. There is at least 3 0 minutes unaccounted for where volunteers are hoping for more help to search the area.
A man wanted for questioning regarding the disappearance of a Pauma Valley resident was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Temecula, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Frank “Francisco” Torres, 61, was reported missing by his family members on Tuesday, May 12. Investigators from the Southwest Station initiated an investigation at approximately 7 a.m. on May 13 after locating Torres’ abandoned vehicle near a local park in Temecula. Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery, the Central Homicide Unit assumed control of the case.
During the investigation, homicide detectives identified 66-year-old Derek Arnett as a person wanted for questioning in connection to Torres’ disappearance. Investigators subsequently located Arnett in his vehicle in the vicinity of Wolf Valley Road and Wolf Valley Creek Drive in Temecula.
According to the incident report authored by Sergeant Alberto Loureiro, the vehicle stopped in a parking lot off Pechanga Parkway. Believing Arnett may have been in possession of a weapon, the Riverside Sheriff’s Emergency Services Team responded to assist.
Upon making contact with Arnett, deputies noted he had injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies attempted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but Arnett was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Torres has not yet been located, and authorities state the investigation remains ongoing. Torres is described as a 61-year-old male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 187 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information regarding Torres’ whereabouts or the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Hernandez at 951-955-2777 or Southwest Station Investigator Mills at 951-696-3000.
No further information will be released at this time.
A coordinated community search effort is currently underway for 61-year-old Pauma Valley resident Frank “Paco” Torres, who is believed to have disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Family members, tribal community members, and volunteers have organized daily search parties with the heartbreaking goal of finding Torres and bringing him home to be laid to rest.
Search efforts officially began on May 19, 2026, and will continue daily at 9:00 a.m. until he is located. Volunteers and search teams are staging their daily operations from the Pauma Heritage Quick Stop, located at 100 Pauma Reservation Road.
The Investigation and Vehicle of Interest
Search operations are focusing heavily on remote areas and routes where investigators and volunteers believe evidence may be located. These areas include Highway 79, Highway 78, Temecula, Aguanga, Warner Springs, and Ramona.
A key piece of the investigation centers around a specific vehicle. The family is asking the public to be on the lookout for a dark gray Toyota Tundra with the California license plate #65171C1.
According to the family, the timeline of this vehicle’s movements on May 13 is critical:
8:09 a.m. — The truck was seen leaving Temecula near Butterfield Stage Road, traveling along Highway 79.
10:30 a.m. (approx.) — The truck later arrived in Ramona, where it reportedly stopped near a local Bank of America, a Dollar Tree, and a car wash.
How the Public Can Help
The family is issuing an urgent plea to residents, travelers, ranch owners, and businesses situated along these routes. Anyone who was in these areas between May 12 and May 14 is strongly urged to review the following for any sightings of the dark gray Toyota Tundra:
Home security footage
Ring doorbell cameras
Dash cameras
Trail cameras
Business surveillance footage
In addition to reviewing footage, the family is asking the media and the public to help raise awareness and assist in the physical search efforts. Those on the ground will see search teams preparing and departing, distributing flyers and photographs of Torres, and coordinating route maps.
Media and Public Contact Information: Anyone with information, or those looking to speak with family representatives, can reach out to: Junior Torres Phone: 760-484-3258 Email: jr.torres@yahoo.com
