Adelanto Man Arrested for Murder of Woman Found Deceased in Lucerne Valley

Man Tossed From Vehicle & Struck by Big Rig After Driver Attempts to Pass on Shoulder

Traffic Collision on 1-15 Near Nipton Kills Passenger and Badly Injures Driver

ADELANTO – A 40-year-old Adelanto man was arrested for the murder of the woman who was found deceased in Lucerne Valley earlier this month.

On September 6, 2018, just before 9:00 a.m. Marion Russell, a 58-year-old Victorville woman, was located in the desert area south of Waverly Road. Authorities said that Russell was reported as a missing person on September 4, 2018. Homicide investigators investigated the murder and initially had no suspects. Further investigation revealed that James Hottinger, 40, of Adelanto was responsible for her death. It is believed that Hottinger was in possession of Russell’s vehicle and fled the area.

A traffic stop of Russell’s vehicle by Inver Grove Police Department in Minnesota on Friday, September 14, 2018, led to the arrest of Hottinger. Hottinger was booked into jail for an outstanding parole violation and the arrest warrant for the murder of Marion Russell. On Monday, September 24, 2018, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department flew to Minnesota to recover and process the vehicle. Hottinger was interviewed by homicide investigators and remains in custody in Dakota County Jail. Hottinger is awaiting extradition back to California where he will be booked for the parole violation and murder.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division-Homicide Detail, Detective James Tebbetts at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.