‘Person of Interest’ in Southern California Murder Arrested Returning to US

File photo of a Huntington Beach Police Department patrol car. (City of Huntington Beach)

A man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Huntington Beach late last month was arrested while trying to return to the United States from Mexico.

On Wednesday, Diamond Bar resident Christopher Mendez, 35, was identified as a person of interest in the murder of Nicole Marquisee, 35, a Walnut resident who was found dead in the 1100 block of England Street on May 31st.

On Friday, he was taken into custody while trying to re-enter the United States from Mexico, Huntington Beach police said in a news release.

He is being held on $2 million bail and is “tentatively scheduled” to appear in court Tuesday, police said. It did not come up in a search of jail records.

Information such as the circumstances of the death and possible motives for the murder have not been disclosed.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective R. Chen at 714-536-5653.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).