The man accused of killing a woman in unincorporated Ventura County last weekend has been charged in that slaying and in a separate homicide two years ago, prosecutors said.
Christian Alexandre Hillairet, 25, faces two counts of murder, one for the death of Carolyn Nino De Rivera on May 31 and another for the 2023 death of Ventura resident William Thompson, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
Rivera was found dead that night at a residence in the 12000 block of Sisar Road, which is located in an unincorporated area between Santa Paula and Ojai known as Upper Ojai.
Hillairet allegedly fled to Mexico shortly after Rivera’s death, but he was found and returned to Ventura County in less than a week.
During the investigation into Rivera’s killing, detectives “obtained information that linked Hillairet to a second alleged murder involving the death of William Thompson,” who was bludgeoned to death with a weapon in Ventura on Nov. 3, 2023, prosecutors said.
“The defendant’s alleged actions reflect a chilling pattern of violence and cruelty,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a news release. “Our office is committed to securing justice for these victims and prosecuting Hillairet to the fullest extent of the law.”
Hillairet, who is being held without bail, faces two murder charges and special allegations of committing more than one murder, use of a deadly weapon, having a prior felony strike, having a prior serious or violent felony, and having a serious felony prior.
He’s expected to make his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court Friday afternoon.
