Beverly Cassese, 65, was found shot to death on August 17, 2025, in a remote lot in the Lake Los Angeles desert area south of Lancaster. Deputies responded about 4:48 p.m. after reports of gunfire and discovered three victims—two men and one woman—inside two vehicles, each with multiple gunshot wounds. The medical examiner identified the woman as Cassese and listed a gunshot wound to the head as the cause, ruling her death a homicide.

News footage showed a white sedan with bullet holes in the driver’s window and a red SUV near a trailer; reporters said investigators believe the victims were experiencing homelessness and were attacked where they sat. Detectives announced a person of interest, 32-year-old Axel Treviño of unincorporated Lake Los Angeles, who was located and taken into custody as authorities processed ballistic evidence and continued interviewing witnesses.

Officials had not released a motive; anyone who knew Cassese, the other victims, or who was in the area that afternoon is asked to come forward with information.