Press Releases

Update:

On Tuesday, July 6th, 2021, around 5:45PM, Suspect Stoot and his 2 year old son were located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Suspect Stoot was taken into custody without incident. Celestine Stoot III, the 2 year old son of the suspect, was unharmed and law enforcement is in the process of reuniting him with his family. Suspect Stoot will be booked into the Clark County jail pending his extradition to Riverside County. This is still an active and ongoing investigation with no further update available.

Details:

On Monday, July 5th, 2021, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Station responded to the 17000 block of Hayes Avenue to investigate a report of a deceased female located inside a home in the Community of Lakeland Village. When deputies arrived on scene, they found an adult female. The female was later identified as Natasha Denise Barlow, a 43-year-old resident of San Jacinto. The Central Homicide Unit was notified and assumed the investigation.

The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Celestine John Stoot Jr., a resident of Lake Elsinore and the victim’s boyfriend. After the homicide occurred, investigators believe the suspect fled the area with his two-year-old son, Celestine Stoot III. The suspect’s vehicle is a charcoal grey 2020 Kia Optima with a temporary paper plate of U335133 or CA license plate 8VQU461. An Amber Alert was activated on July 5, 2021 by The California Highway Patrol and is still active.

Suspect Stoot and his two-year-old son have not been located and their whereabouts are unknown. Suspect Stoot is considered armed and dangerous. If seen, please contact 911 and do not attempt to make contact. This is an active investigation and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Magana of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777. You can also submit a tip at WeTip-Lake Elsinore.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.