Editor’s note: As the sheriff’s department is no longer providing their log of calls, the Alpine Mountaineer is compiling Nixle press releases for our readers.
Big Bear resident arrested in 2006 murder of his wife
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at approximately 11:12 a.m., deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to a call for service in the 39000 block of Forest Road, in Big Bear Lake. The reporting party requested law enforcement assistance after making a suspicious discovery in the crawlspace under the residence. Big Bear Station deputies and personnel from the Big Bear Fire Department responded to the location and discovered unidentified human remains in the crawlspace beneath the residence.
Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, responded and assumed the investigation. An autopsy was conducted on the remains, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. Despite DNA testing and continued investigative efforts, the identity of the deceased remained unknown, and the investigation remained unsolved.
In 2023, the Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team assumed the investigation and submitted the remains for additional investigative DNA analysis. The remains were ultimately identified as those of Jill Maiorca, 29 at the time of her death. Detectives learned Jill had been reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007.
Through continued investigation, detectives identified Jill’s former husband, Jeff Maiorca, as a suspect in her murder.
Evidence developed during the investigation indicates Jill was murdered in November 2006. Her remains were concealed beneath the Forest Road residence without the homeowner’s knowledge.
On Sept. 21, 2026, Jeff Maiorca, 53, was arrested in connection with Jill’s murder and taken into custody without incident. Maiorca was booked into the Big Bear Jail for Penal Code section 187(a), Murder.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Jill Maiorca’s disappearance or murder (Case No. DR#162000907, H#2020-122) is asked to contact Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles, Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, at (909) 890-4916. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at (844) 909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites .
Stolen vehicle recovered following automated license plate reader alert
On Saturday, Sept. 19, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a deputy with Big Bear Station was traveling northbound on Highway 18 when his patrol vehicle’s automated license plate recognition system alerted to a reported stolen vehicle.
The vehicle, a 2025 Honda Civic, was located traveling on Highway 18. The deputy initiated a high-risk traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Omar Lum, 31 of La Puente, complied with commands and was detained without incident.
During the investigation, deputies determined Lum had been in possession of the vehicle since Aug. 9. The Honda Civic, valued at approximately $32,000, was recovered.
Deputies arrested Lum for PC 496D(A) and booked him into custody at the Big Bear jail. Lum was scheduled to be arraigned at the San Bernardino Superior Court on Sept. 22 at 8:00 a.m.
Anyone with information regarding this incident (Case No. 062600708) is urged to contact Big Bear Sheriff Station at (909) 866-0100. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at (844) 909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
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