Crime & Safety

Felon Pleads Not Guilty to Murder, Arson in Woman's Death, Held in Banning

A convicted felon pleaded not guilty Friday to murder, arson and burglary in connection with the death of a woman found while firefighters put out a mobile home fire in Green Acres, west of Hemet, on Sept. 5.

David James Lillard, 51, of Sun City, was arraigned Sept. 20 at Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark.


Lillard, who has prior felony convictions and is accused of violating parole, has been held at Smith Correctional in Banning on $1 million bail, according to inmate records.

Autumn Kissinger, 50, of Hemet, was found Thursday Sept. 5 in the 33600 block of El Centro Avenue, southeast of the SR 74 and SR 79 junction, according to Sgt. Raymond Huskey of the sheriff's Central Homicide Unit.

Lillard was arrested at 4 a.m. Sept. 6 at 27389 Presley St. in Sun City, about 10 miles west of where Kissinger's body was found in the mobile home fire, according to inmate records.

Lillard has a felony settlement conference scheduled Sept. 27.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Investigator Jason Corey of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Chris Barajas of the sheriff's Perris Station at (951) 210-1000.


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