San Bernardino–On May, 27, 1991, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Central Station and emergency medical aid personnel responded to a reported death at a residence in the 18000 Block of Santa Fe Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, Cynthia White deceased inside the residence. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division-Homicide Detail responded to the location and conducted a homicide investigation. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation. Homicide detectives conducted numerous interviews until all leads were exhausted and the case went cold in 1993.
In 2012, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s homicide cold case team reviewed the case and submitted potential evidence for DNA analysis. In June 2013, Dean Eric Dunlap was identified as a potential suspect in the homicide of White. Detectives learned Dunlap was arrested on April 26, 2000 for a 1992 kidnapping and murder in San Bernardino (Case Number FSB026345). During trial, Dunlap was found guilty of PC 187-Murder, PC 209 (B)(1)-Kidnapping to Commit Robbery/Rape, PC 261(A)(2)-Rape by Force and PC 288(B)(1)-Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14.
Upon identifying Dunlap as a potential suspect in the murder of White, cold case detectives conducted interviews and follow-ups. At the conclusion of the investigation, Deputy District Attorney Denise Yoakum reviewed the case. Yoakum is assigned to the cold case team. On October 4, 2016, Yoakum charged Dunlap with PC 187(a)-Murder. Bail was set at $1,000,000. Dunlap is currently serving time in a California State Prison and will be transported to San Bernardino County to face charges.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Patty Ruiz, Detective Ed DeLaTorre or Sergeant Greg Myler at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detectives Patty Ruiz and Ed DeLaTorre or Sergeant Greg Myler
Station: Specialized Investigations Division
Phone No. (909) 387-3589
Case No. DR #0191057439 H #1991-059
