Preliminary autopsy results released Wednesday on two people killed in Ramona confirm the case was a murder-suicide and that the alleged suicidal shooter has died.
The shootings were being investigated after an unidentified person made a 911 call shortly after noon on Jan. 3 to report that one person had been killed and another had committed suicide at a home in the 24400 block of Del Amo Road in Ramona, according to sheriff’s officials. After making that statement, the caller hung up, Lt. Rich Williams said.
At the scene, investigators found Samantha Hayes Banegas, 22, dead from a gunshot wound. Her death was ruled a homicide, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Bryan Hinkle, 35, also died from a gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a suicide, the medical examiner’s office reported.
Investigators found a gun at the scene of the shootings.
Hinkle initially survived the shooting and was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment but later died. His date and time of death were not released.
Officials have disclosed no suspected motive for the deadly violence and have not revealed the relationship, if any, between Benegas and Hinkle. The identity of the 911 caller has not been released.
–Staff
