Concerns for Valerie Francine Tovar Felix, a 44-year-old woman, grew when her family was unable to reach her after February 27, 2026. Their worries led them to her home in the 600 block of North Pine Avenue in Rialto, California. In the evening hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, family members made a devastating discovery after gaining entry into the residence through an unlocked window.
Inside, they found Valerie and a man, later identified as 61-year-old Lovell Henderson, both lifeless.
The Rialto Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 9:37 p.m. and initiated a homicide investigation. Authorities determined that both individuals had sustained what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The initial investigation pointed towards a murder-suicide, with detectives identifying Henderson as the suspect. It was revealed that Felix and Henderson had been in a relationship.
In the wake of this tragedy, Valerie was remembered as a woman who brought light and laughter to those around her. Described as a loving daughter, sister, and a woman of great faith, she was above all a devoted mother and grandmother. Her death, attributed to domestic violence, left her six children grieving. The heartbreaking circumstances were compounded by the fact that her eldest and youngest children were the ones to find her. A fundraising effort was initiated by family to help support her children with funeral and living expenses during their time of unimaginable loss.
