Victims identified after Lake County traffic stop leads to discovery of two bodies

CLEARLAKE, Calif. - Family members have identified the two Santa Rosa residents killed in a grisly weekend crime spree that ended with a body in the suspects' backseat and another at the bottom of an embankment in Lake County.

Desiree Carmen Fuentes, 43, was among the victims found Sunday morning, according to her family. Authorities said her body was located off State Route 175, about 1.5 miles north of the Lake-Mendocino County line.

A second victim, Terry Joe Harris, 58, was found deceased in the back seat of a gray 2000 Chevrolet Suburban around 8:50 a.m, according to his family.

Both victims were Santa Rosa residents.

Authorities said the deaths are connected.

Traffic stop leads to discovery

What we know:

The investigation began when California Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop the SUV for a registration violation on State Route 53 at Dam Road in Clearlake. The driver refused to stop, authorities said.

The vehicle eventually stopped near 18th Avenue and Oak Street, where a passenger attempted to flee on foot.

Officers detained the passenger, later identified as 37-year-old Alex Kenneth Schussolin of Clearlake. The driver, 32-year-old Jasslynn Pearl Critchett of Clearlake, remained at the scene.

"While contacting the driver, an officer noticed blood inside the vehicle and traced it to the rear passenger area, where officers found an unresponsive adult male," the CHP said in a statement. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later found Fuentes, the second victim, during the course of the homicide investigation.

Investigation details

Authorities said a gun was recovered near where Schussolin fled, but it was not immediately clear whether the weapon was connected to the killings.

Investigators believe the incident began in Sonoma County and extended into Lake County before the traffic stop.

Officials have not released details about the manner of death or a possible motive.

Charges

Dig deeper:

Schussolin and Critchett were arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail on suspicion of murder, carjacking, being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to CHP.

Families remember victims

What they're saying:

Fuentes is survived by two daughters.

In a GoFundMe post, her daughter, Destiny Fuentes, described her as "the sweetest social butterfly you would ever meet."

She said her mom was killed just as they were supposed to celebrate the Easter holiday together. Instead, Fuentes received a life-changing phone call from a deputy.

"He had told me, 'I'm so sorry, but your mom, she passed away,'" Destiny Fuentes recalled. "That's when they had shared, she had been shot."

In a separate GoFundMe for Harris, his family shared memories of him as a generous and caring man.

"He would give the last of anything he had, and he wouldn't even hurt a fly," his son Devin Braddi said.

Braddi said he is still struggling to understand how his father came into contact with the people responsible for his death.

Fuentes shared similar sentiments, questioning why her mother was targeted during what was supposed to be a new beginning.

Bonded by tragedy

The victims’ families, bonded by the tragedy, have been in contact as they mourn the deaths.

They said Fuentes and Harris met years ago through an addiction recovery program.

Both families acknowledged that while the victims had a troubled history with addiction, they had gotten their lives together before they were killed. While the families plan to testify at an upcoming court hearing, they are also focused on honoring the victims' memories.

"I hope my mom knows how much she was loved," Destiny Fuentes said. "I never gave up on her."

Ongoing investigation

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact CHP at 1-800-TELL-CHP.