Homicide Suspect in Ventura County Custody
Christian Hillairet, 24, of Santa Paula
Christian Hillairet, 24, of Santa Paula

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, at approximately 9:09 p.m., Sheriff’s Dispatch received multiple calls stating a female may have been murdered at a residence in the 12000 block of Sisar Road in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. When Fillmore deputies arrived, they confirmed there was a deceased female in the residence and evidence at the scene indicated she was a victim of a homicide.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau assumed responsibility for the investigation and quickly identified Christian Hillairet as a person of interest.
During the morning hours of June 1, 2025, investigators learned that Hillairet crossed into Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing. Working with multiple federal agencies, Hillairet was located and arrested on June 2, 2025, in Rosarito, Baja California. United States and Mexican authorities coordinated to repatriate Hillairet back to the United States where he could be taken into custody by local authorities.

On June 4, 2025, the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau sent a contingent of investigators and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent to the San Ysidro border crossing. Mexican authorities released custody of Hillairet into the control of the U.S. Marshals Service who in turn released Hillairet to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Investigators.
Hillairet was transported back to Ventura County where he was booked on June 5, 2025, for the murder of Carolyn NinoDeRivera, a violation of California Penal Code Section 187(a).

Prepared by: Detective Michael Marco
News Release Date: June 5, 2025
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina
Booking Photo Release: YES

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Ojai Handyman Charged with Two Ventura County Murders

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christian Alexandre Hillairet (DOB 09/02/99), of Ojai, has been charged with two counts of murder for the May 2025 killing of Carolyn Nino De Rivera and the 2023 death of William Thompson, a City of Ventura resident. Prosecutors have filed several special allegations against Hillairet, including commission of more than one murder, use of a deadly weapon, and a strike prior.

On May 31, 2025, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula following multiple reports of a possible homicide. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a deceased woman inside the home and determined she was the victim of a homicide.

Sheriff’s Office detectives quickly identified Christian Hillairet as a person of interest in the case. On June 1, 2025, they learned he had crossed into Mexico through the San Ysidro border. With help from federal agencies, he was found and arrested the next day in Rosarito, Baja California. On June 4, 2025, Ventura County detectives and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent met Mexican authorities at the San Ysidro border, where Hillairet was transferred to the custody of the
U.S. Marshals Service and then to Ventura County authorities.

During the investigation, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura Police Department obtained information that linked Hillairet to a second alleged murder involving the death of William Thompson, in the City of Ventura on November 3, 2023. Thompson was allegedly bludgeoned to death with a weapon.

“The defendant’s alleged actions reflect a chilling pattern of violence and cruelty,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “Our office is committed to securing justice for these victims and prosecuting Hillairet to the fullest extent of the law.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Hillairet is scheduled to make his first appearance in on Friday June 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without the possibility for bail.

Case: 2025013878
Defendant Information:
Christian Alexandre Hillairet (DOB 09/02/99) Ojai
Charges:
• (2 counts) PC 187(a) – Murder
Special Allegations:
• PC 190.2(a)(3) – Commission of more than one murder
• PC 12022(b)(2) – Use of deadly weapon
• PC 667S2 – Prior strike 2
• PC 1170(h)(3) – Prior serious or violent felony, prison eligibility
• PC 667(a)(1) – Serious felony prior