Murrieta Woman Charged in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot of Ex-Boyfriend

Murrieta, CA – Ignacia Cadaos Perkins, 40, of Murrieta, California, faces multiple murder charges in connection with the death of her ex-boyfriend, 30-year-old Aaron Parr. The case, which began with Parr’s discovery deceased in his apartment on January 13, 2026, has expanded to include two additional suspects, authorities announced on March 22, 2026.

Details of the Investigation

On January 13, 2026, Murrieta Police Department officers responded to a call at The Arbors at California Oaks apartments, located at 24375 Jackson Avenue, where they found Parr deceased inside an apartment . The circumstances were immediately investigated as a homicide. Investigators believe the killing was financially motivated .

Arrests Made in the Case

Ignacia Perkins was arrested in Murrieta on January 29, 2026, and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center . James Lawrence Petri, 43, an acquaintance of Perkins from Birmingham, Alabama, was also arrested on January 29, 2026, and is facing extradition to California .

On Friday, March 22, 2026, two additional men were arrested in connection with the case: Jerry Wheeler, 34, of Georgia, and Kenneth Maxwell, 39, of Alabama . Both Wheeler and Maxwell are facing three murder charges and will be extradited to California to face trial .

Charges and Allegations

Perkins and Petri were initially charged with first-degree murder, with special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and killing for financial gain . Petri also faces sentence-enhancing allegations of using a gun and inflicting great bodily injury . Perkins is now facing three murder charges .

Ongoing Investigation

The Murrieta Police Department is continuing to investigate the case and has requested that anyone with information contact Detective Leitch at (951) 461-6353. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the department’s website at www.murrietapolice.org . Due to the ongoing nature of the case, authorities have declined to release further details at this time.