Homicide under investigation

The Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a 911 call from a residence in the 15000 block of Monreal Road in Madera County at approximately 3:13 a.m. on January 5. The caller reported that an unknown individual was breaking into the residence through the back door, and had entered the home.

When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they found a male occupant of the residence had been in a physical struggle with the unidentified intruder. The intruder was unresponsive when Deputies arrived at the scene and despite significant efforts to revive him, he was pronounced deceased.

The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The initial investigation indicates that the male homeowner confronted the individual as he was forcibly entering the residence and a physical struggle ensued. At some point during the struggle, the intruder lost consciousness.