California Man Killed Missing Roommate 'With Malice' Before Burying Him in Backyard, Cops Say

California police arrested Richard Thomas Martinez for the murder of his roommate after finding human remains in the backyard of his house.

Authorities responded to a call regarding the issue after being alerted that one of the residents from the house, 41-year-old Bradley Minder, had not "been seen or heard from for several days."

Officers said that during the first steps of the investigation they found out that another resident, Martinez, had "made statements claiming he killed his roommate." "That occupant was detained, and a search of the property revealed a possible crime scene in the backyard."

That led to Riverside police to take cadaver dogs and specialists from the forensics unit to analyze the backyard, with the dogs indicating there was disturbed soil. After digging, human remains were found and were later identified as Minder's.

Further assessment determined that Martinez killed Minder "during an altercation" and then "buried his body in the backyard of their home." He was then charged with first-degree murder and murder with malice. He made his first court appearance at a Riverside courthouse last week.

Authorities clarified that the investigation is still ongoing and asked for anyone with potential information to contact the detectives involved with the case.