Police: Two Bodies Found in Cathedral City Dumpster, Murder Investigation Underway

Update 8 p.m. Monday: 

Sgt. Paul Herrera Monday afternoon identified the victims as Roger Del James, 53, and his wife Diana Gale James, 52. He said they used to live in Arkansas and had family there, but had lived in the Coachella Valley on and off for at least five years.

He also said the couple was homeless and known to business owners in the East Palm Canyon area.

Original Story as follows:

Police reported Monday they have opened a double homicide investigation involving a man and woman whose bodies were found in Cathedral City.

Someone reported finding a woman's body inside a Dumpster enclosure at 67782 E. Palm Canyon Drive, south of Golf Club Drive, around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

When police arrived, they found a man's body, as well, Cathedral City police Capt. Chuck Robinson said.

"Both of the deceased persons appeared to be homicide victims," he said.

Maps indicate the dumpster was located near the Cathedral City Car Wash and The UPS Store.

According to the coroner's office, the man was 53-years-old, and the woman was 52.  Both resided in Cathedral City.

Both deaths were deemed "suspicious" by the coroner's office, but no information was released on how they died.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact police at (760) 770-0300 or (760) 770-0302.

-City News Service contributed to this report.