Three Additional Suspects Identified in 2016 Cold Case Murder; Two Arrested Locally...

Three Additional Suspects Identified in 2016 Cold Case Murder; Two Arrested Locally and One Awaits Extradition in Georgia

DATE: February 5, 2026

INCIDENT: Cold Case Murder – Suspect Arrested

LOCATION: 12600 Block of Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley

SUSPECT 1: Michael Austin Roberts, 27-years-old, Resident of Apple Valley SUSPECT 2: Alexander Francisco Cortez, 30-years-old, Resident of Pendergrass, GA SUSPECT 3: Denise Reames-Watkins, 70-years-old, Resident of Lucerne Valley SUSPECT 4: Hector Rodriguez, 30-years-old, Resident of Adelanto

VICTIM(S): Michael Brooks, 54-years-old, (at time of death), Resident of Apple Valley ******************************************************* UPDATED ON JUNE 17, 2026 Through continued investigation, detectives with the Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team identified three additional suspects in the 2016 murder of a 54-year-old Apple Valley Man, Michael Austin Roberts.

Alexander Francisco Cortez was located in Pendergrass, Georgia, and taken into custody on Friday, June 5, 2026. He awaits extradition back to San Bernardino County for murder.

Denise Reames-Watkins was arrested on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Lucerne Valley; and on June 16, 2026, the third suspect, Hector Rodriguez, was located and arrested in Adelanto. Reames-Watkins and Rodriguez were booked in at the High Desert Detention Center for murder and remain in custody on $1,000,000 bail.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites. ***********************************************************************

SUMMARY: On Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Apple Valley Station deputies responded to 12600 block of Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, reference a deceased subject found alone inside the residence. The decedent was identified as Michael Brooks. Brooks was found to have died from a single gunshot wound.

The Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, responded and assumed the investigation. During that time, detectives learned the wounds were not self-inflicted. An extensive investigation was initiated, and multiple people of interest were identified and interviewed. However, after exhausting all leads, the case eventually went cold, and a suspect was not identified.

The Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team routinely reexamines cases that have been previously exhausted and work to develop new information and leads. In 2025, the Cold Case Homicide Team resumed the investigation into Michael Brooks’ murder. During the investigation, Michael Roberts was identified as a suspect in the murder. Roberts, who is now 27 years old, was 18 years old when this crime occurred.

On February 3, 2026, Roberts was in-custody at West Valley Detention Center on an unrelated charge. Roberts was interviewed by investigators. At the conclusion of the interview, Roberts was arrested and booked at West Valley Detention Center for the murder of Michael Brooks.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles

Station: Homicide Detail

Phone No. 909-890-4904

Case No. DR# 181604961 H#2016-064

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

Address/Location SBSD - Headquarters 655 E 3rd St San Bernardino, CA 92408

Contact Emergency: 9-1-1 Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700