Lucerne Valley was rocked Tuesday night when deputies found 38‑year‑old Brandon Daoutis lying on the ground outside a rural home with what looked like severe stab wounds. It was just after 9:20 p.m. on January 27 when Victor Valley sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a possible stabbing in the 40000 block of East End Road in the unincorporated desert community east of Victorville.
When officers arrived, they saw Daoutis unresponsive and bleeding from sharp force injuries. Deputies and San Bernardino County Fire personnel performed lifesaving aid, but he was pronounced dead right there at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Detail quickly took over the investigation and, over the next hours, detectives identified the person they believe responsible for the fatal attack. According to the sheriff’s written statement, the suspect is 39‑year‑old Jeanette Rocha, Daoutis’s girlfriend.
Rocha was arrested later that night on suspicion of murder under California Penal Code 187. She was taken to the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, where she remains in custody without bail.
Neighbors in the quiet desert area spoke of shock and sadness the next day. Many knew the couple from around town and said the deaths have left a hole in a place where people are used to looking out for each other. Folks described Daoutis as a regular on local dirt roads and at community gatherings, someone who had friends spread across the Victor Valley.
Law enforcement says the case remains under active investigation, and they are urging anyone with information to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail at (909) 890‑4904. Anonymous tips can be filed through We‑Tip at 1‑800‑78‑CRIME (27463) or via wetip.com.
For residents and loved ones, the loss of Daoutis is a stark reminder of how quickly everyday life can flip into tragedy. His family has not released a public statement yet, and authorities say more details could emerge as the case moves forward.
The sheriff’s department says this remains a developing story, and additional facts will be shared when they become available.
