The Case Files of Honorably Retired Corporal Kevin Faler, Riverside County Sheriff’s
Department:
Cracking the “Who Done It” Mysteries
Honorably retired Sheriff’s Corporal Kevin Faler’s storied career spanned nearly three decades, serving first with the Hot Springs Police Department in Arkansas as a narcotic investigator, homicide investigator and street crimes investigator (1983–1989), then with the Coachella Police Department in California as a narcotic investigator, homicide investigator and gang investigator (1990–1998), and finally with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, assignments included Civil Bureau, Superior Court Deputy, Special Investigation Bureau TDY Coachella, Professional Standards Bureau, Civil and Criminal investigations (1998–2012). Over these years, Faler made a name for himself as a relentless detective, solving some of the most baffling “who done it” cases. Even after his retirement, he continues to assist in investigations, consulting from his home office and bringing his wealth of experience to cold cases.
1. The Bathhouse District Murders (Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1987)
In 1987, the tranquil town of Hot Springs was disrupted by a series of grisly murders in its famed Bathhouse District. The victims were mostly tourists, found strangled in the city’s historic bathhouses. As a young officer, Faler assigned as a Street Crimes Investigator worked tirelessly to find the connection between the seemingly random killings. After an extensive investigation, he assisted in tracking down a bathhouse employee with a troubled history. Faler’s persistence in piecing together evidence led to the suspect’s arrest, ending the terror that had gripped the town.
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2. The Mobster’s Revenge (Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1989)
In 1989, a prominent mobster’s son was assassinated in Hot Springs, leaving a trail of fear and unanswered questions. Faler was tasked with uncovering the truth, navigating the city’s notorious connections to organized crime. Through careful undercover work and by earning the trust of key informants, Faler was able to uncover a feud between rival families that culminated in the hit. His work dismantled a larger conspiracy and brought peace to the city’s streets once again.
3. The Coachella Desert Stalker (Coachella, California, 1993)
In 1993, Coachella residents were paralyzed with fear as a series of home invasions targeted women living alone. Working as a detective with the Coachella Police Department, Detective Faler used his extensive knowledge of criminal patterns to pinpoint the offender. His breakthrough came when he realized the attacker had been scouting his victims while performing routine work for a local utility company. Faler’s quick thinking led to the apprehension of the suspect and brought an end to the terrifying assaults.
4. The Rancho Mirage Bank Heist (Coachella, California, 1996)
The sophisticated robbery of a Rancho Mirage bank in 1996 left authorities scratching their heads. The criminals had executed the heist with near-perfect precision. Faler, always one to notice the smallest details, identified a tattoo along with other detectives on one of the robbers captured on security footage. His discovery helped law enforcement identify the suspect, leading to the arrest of the entire gang and the recovery of the stolen money. The case further established Faler’s reputation for keen observation.
5. The Riverside Poisonings (Riverside County, California, 1999)
Shortly after joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Faler was thrown into one of his most puzzling cases: a string of cyanide poisonings in 1999. The seemingly unrelated victims had all died under similar circumstances, leaving investigators with few leads. Faler, however, noticed a pattern—each victim was part of the same religious congregation. His deep dive into church records and social circles uncovered that the treasurer was responsible, poisoning members to gain access to their inheritances. Faler’s efforts put a cold-blooded killer behind bars.
6. The Kidnapping and Murder of Anthony (Beaumont, California, 2002)
One of the most heart-wrenching cases in Faler’s career was the kidnapping and murder of young Anthony from Beaumont in 2002. Anthony had been abducted on his way home from school, and despite desperate searches, his body was found days later in a remote area. Faler was immediately brought in to lead the investigation. Utilizing his expertise in child abductions, he focused on local offenders with a history of predatory behavior. His relentless pursuit of leads eventually led to the capture of the killer, a known predator who had been hiding in plain sight. Faler’s work not only solved the case but provided closure for Anthony’s grieving family.
7. The Temecula Kidnappings (Riverside County, California, 2001)
In 2001, Temecula was rocked by a series of child abductions, leaving parents in fear. Faler followed the investigation, identifying a pattern in the disappearances. After narrowing his focus to a local park where all the children were last seen, Faler honed in on a park employee who had a history of mental illness. His intuition and investigative skill led to the safe recovery of the abducted children and the arrest of the perpetrator, whose behavior had gone unnoticed for years.
8. The Palm Springs Art Heist (Riverside County, California, 2003)
In 2003, a daring art heist in Palm Springs left authorities in a bind. The thieves had stolen millions in priceless paintings with surgical precision. Faler, known for his ability to see connections others missed. Detectives found a critical clue—a rare rope used to transport the stolen goods. This led him to a nearby marina, where the thieves had hidden their loot. His discovery resulted in the recovery of the stolen art and the arrest of the suspects, a major victory in the fight against organized art crime.
9. The Murder of Melanie Baker (Riverside County, California, 2005)
Melanie Baker, a wealthy businesswoman in Riverside County, was found murdered in her home in 2005. Though the scene suggested a burglary, detectives saw through the ruse. The detective interviews with family and business associates revealed a tangled web of financial disputes. After months of investigation, Detectives zeroed in on Baker’s business partner, who had orchestrated the murder to gain control of her company. The partner’s conviction was a testament to the police profession, dedication and unflinching attention to detail.
10. The Beaumont Serial Arsonist (Riverside County, California, 2007)
Between 2006 and 2007, Beaumont was terrorized by a series of mysterious fires, most of which destroyed abandoned buildings. Detectives took on the role of piecing together evidence and profiling the arsonist. The investigation revealed that the fires were the work of a disgruntled former firefighter who sought revenge after losing his job. The detectives involved had the ability to profile and track the suspect led to the man’s arrest, and the fires were finally stopped.
Throughout his career, Honorably Retired Corporal Kevin Faler proved time and time again that no case was too complex, no criminal too elusive. His work in solving “who done it” mysteries across Hot Springs, Coachella, and Riverside County remains a testament to his dedication to justice. Even in retirement, Faler continues to use his skills working for licensed private investigator companies, bringing closure to families and solving cases that others could not. His legacy as one of the most determined and successful retired detectives of his time lives on.
