Big Bear Lake, California — A horrifying discovery inside a Southern California home has led authorities to an arrest in a nearly 20-year-old murder case, after human remains found beneath a Big Bear property were identified as those of a woman who disappeared years earlier.
Jeff Anthony Maiorca, 53, was arrested Monday, Sept. 21, by authorities with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in connection with the death of his former wife, Jill Maiorca.
Jill was 29 when authorities believe she was killed in November 2006. Her remains were not discovered until October 2020, when deputies responding to a service call at a home along Forest Road in Big Bear Lake found them in a crawl space beneath the property.
Homeowner Had No Idea Remains Were There
When deputies initially discovered the remains, the homeowner reportedly did not know they were hidden beneath the house.
At the time, investigators also had not determined the identity of the deceased woman, leaving authorities with a mystery that would remain unsolved for several more years.
The case took a major turn in 2023, when DNA analysis reviewed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department identified the remains as belonging to Jill Maiorca.
That discovery gave investigators a name and allowed them to begin examining Jill’s history and relationships more closely. The investigation eventually identified her former husband, Jeff Anthony Maiorca, as a suspect in her death.
Jill Maiorca Had Been Missing Since 2007
Jill had originally been reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007, several months after investigators now believe she was killed.
Authorities determined through the investigation and autopsy that Jill’s death occurred in November 2006, when she was just 29 years old. An autopsy performed after her remains were recovered determined that the manner of death was homicide.
The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remained unresolved for years, with her family and investigators left without answers about what had happened to her.
The discovery of her remains in 2020 eventually provided the evidence needed to reopen the case from a new direction.
Former Husband Arrested in Big Bear
Jeff Anthony Maiorca was arrested Monday by San Bernardino County authorities. According to arrest records, deputies detained him at the Big Bear branch library on Garstin Drive.
He is currently being held at the High Desert Jail in Adelanto without bail, according to the available records.
San Bernardino County Superior Court records show that Maiorca was charged during a court hearing Wednesday with murder and use of a deadly weapon.
His next court appearance is scheduled for October 12. The charges represent a major development in a case that had remained unresolved for nearly two decades.
Divorce Filing Offers Another Piece of the Timeline
Public records show that Jeff Anthony Maiorca had filed for divorce from Jill Maiorca in Los Angeles County in 2004, two years before authorities believe Jill was killed.
Investigators have not publicly released all the details surrounding the couple’s relationship or explained what may have led to Jill’s death.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not indicated that the arrest marks the end of their efforts to establish exactly what happened to Jill.
Man Says Tinder Date Stole His $37,000 Rolex After Night at Miami High-Rise, Police Say
Because the case dates back nearly two decades, investigators are continuing to examine evidence and information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death.
Authorities Continue Seeking Information
The arrest gives Jill Maiorca’s case a significant new development, but investigators are still working to piece together the full timeline.
Authorities have encouraged members of the public who may have information about Jill, her disappearance or the circumstances surrounding her death to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
For years, Jill’s disappearance remained an unanswered question. The discovery beneath a Big Bear home in 2020 finally gave investigators the evidence needed to identify her, and DNA analysis years later helped move the investigation toward a suspect.
Now, nearly 20 years after Jill Maiorca was killed, her former husband is facing murder charges as the investigation continues.
What do you think about this decades-old case finally leading to an arrest? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what questions you think investigators still need to answer.
