Multiple sets of human remains have been discovered at the former California residence of a man who is already in custody facing a separate murder charge, triggering a major multi-agency investigation.
A Chilling Discovery in Southcrest
According to the San Diego Police Department, the grim find was made at a property in the Southcrest neighbourhood of San Diego. Dwight Rhone, 74, who previously lived at the address, has been named as a person of interest in connection with the newly discovered remains. The discovery prompted an immediate response from the California Highway Patrol, San Diego Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The medical examiner's office has opened an investigation to identify the remains and determine the cause of death. Rhone has not yet been formally charged in relation to this shocking discovery. He is currently being held in county jail on charges of murder, robbery, and theft from an earlier case.
A Prior Case of Alleged Canine Revenge
Rhone was arrested in October 2023 for the alleged murder of Bernardo Moreno. Court documents state the incident began when their dogs started fighting. Moreno reportedly stabbed Rhone's dog to break up the altercation.
Moreno's body was later found burned with a bullet wound to the back of his head, lying in a pool of gasoline. Rhone is accused of then stealing the victim's car and using his credit cards for weeks. Investigators say Rhone told a friend on the phone he would 'go to death row' for his dog. Police also learned Rhone borrowed a gun from this friend and returned it with two spent casings.
A Lengthy Criminal History and Eviction
Federal court records reveal Rhone has an extensive criminal past, with over 30 offences logged between 1963 and 2021. Furthermore, the former owner of the home where the remains were found, his sister-in-law Ernie Monia, had previously obtained a Civil Elder Abuse Restraining Order against him in 2017.
Monia accused Rhone of allowing intoxicated or drug-abusing individuals into their shared home. Rhone was eventually evicted from the property after the restraining order expired in 2022, with the landlord citing suspected criminal behaviour as the reason.
The current tenants of the home were unaware of the investigation when authorities arrived with a search warrant on Sunday and are temporarily staying elsewhere. Rhone's next court appearance for the 2023 murder charge is scheduled for December 10.
