Former CL resident arrested on suspicion of homicide

Photo provided by Riverside Sheriff’s Department

Gregory Brandt, a former Canyon Lake resident, was arrested on Mar. 11 on suspicion of homicide. According to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, a five-week-old infant girl was brought to the hospital by her biological parents, Gregory Brandt, 33, and Jasmine Rugga, 27, from their residence in Menifee on Jan. 26. The infant was declared deceased after medical staff were unable to resuscitate her.

Personnel from the Menifee Police Department began an investigation into the death of the infant. Evidence surfaced in the following days that led Menifee investigators to believe foul play was involved in the infant’s death and the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.

On March 11, Brandt was arrested on suspicion of homicide and Rugga on suspicion of child endangerment. Both were transported to the Cois Byrd Detention Center where Brandt is held on $1,000,000 bail. Rugga’s bail was set at $35,000 bail.

No further details about the evidence or the injuries to the child were released. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Salisbury at the Menifee Police Department at 951- 210-1000 or Investigator Trudeau at the Central Homicide Unit at 951- 955-2777.