Hemet Woman Slain in Redlands Motel Killing

Update 3:33 p.m. The coroner has identified the woman pronounced dead at Redlands Good Nite Inn as Priscilla Santana, 29, of Hemet.

Posted 1:03 p.m. Guests and others who were at a Redlands motel while law enforcement investigated an alleged killing were concerned Thursday, one day after a woman was found dead in a room and a Rialto man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The woman's death was discovered Wednesday afternoon at the Good Nite Inn on Industrial Park Avenue in west Redlands, west of Alabama Street and south of Interstate 10. A city spokesman described the incident as "a deadly domestic dispute."

None of the more than half-dozen people who spoke with Patch on Thursday wanted their names published, in part because they feared for their safety. The manager of the motel declined to be interviewed.

In separate interviews, men and women at the motel Thursday said they understood a knife or some other cutting instrument was involved in the killing.

One man said there was noise and shouting from a second-story room, and a maid called 911. Police arrived and caught a man immediatey, he said.

Another man said a law enforcement officer told him police were investigating a stabbing. A woman said she'd heard it was a knifing. Two people said the victim's throat was slashed.

"There was blood, a lot of blood," one man said. "They took out the mattress and the tv. There was blood spattered on the tv."

A city spokesman said in a statement late Wednesday police would not release the cause of the woman's death.

The San Bernardino County coroner released the following statement Thursday morning:

"On 05/30/12 at approximately 1:55 p.m. the Redlands Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call of a disturbance at a local motel located in the 1600 block of Industrial Park Avenue. Upon arrival of the Redlands Police Department an adult white female was found with upper body trauma. The Redlands Fire Department arrived on scene and confirmed her death at 2:16 p.m. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. The Homicide Division of the Redlands Police Department is conducting an investigation. The name of the decedent will be released when the next of kin is notified."

Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said police received a report of a couple fighting in a room at the Good Nite Inn on Industrial Park Avenue shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday May 30.

"When officers arrived they contacted the suspect, Kameron Hamilton, born June 22, 1988, at the door," Baker said. "Officers then entered the room and found the 29-year-old victim. Responding Redlands paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene."

Hamilton, 23, was arrested at 2:10 p.m., according to inmate records. He was booked on suspicion of murder and he was held Thursday without bail at West Valley Detention Center, according to inmate records.

The Good Nite Inn is at 1675 Industrial Park Avenue in west Redlands, west of Alabama Street and south of Interstate 10.

Anyone with more information about was urged to call Detective Frank Rocha at (909) 798-7580 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Callers may remain anonymous. Anonymous tips can also be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP."