A Fresno mother of seven who had told her family she feared her ex-boyfriend was found dead at his home reportedly this week after going there to visit their children, relatives and police revealed. The man, Jeffrey Vernon Michaels, 39, turned himself and was accused of murder.
Tatyana McIntyre, known to relatives as Alison Riley, reportedly went missing on August 4 after she did not pick up her daughter from school.
Fresno police identified her by her legal name, McIntyre. Her sister, Alizabeth Lopez, said in an interview that the family grew suspicious because Riley had texted their mother, “If I ever get harmed just know he did it.”
When Was Riley Last Heard In the House
Family members said Riley was last heard from between 12:10 p.m. and 1 p.m. in August, when she arrived at a home on East Grove Avenue in southeast Fresno to see two children she shares with her ex-boyfriend. Her relatives shared that her phone pinged near the house before losing service.
Her car was reportedly found that night in an orchard. Surveillance video also reportedly showed what the family said is her Fiat followed by a white truck they say belonged to the ex-boyfriend.
Relatives said they could not reach him and believed he had not been at the house since she vanished.
How Officers Found the Body of Mother
The next day, reportedly, her family members saw a heavy police presence, including homicide detectives, at the home. Officers served a search warrant and found Riley dead. Her mother said the body was in the garage.
Police said she had multiple lacerations and that detectives found evidence of a disturbance. Meanwhile, property records reportedly listed her ex-boyfriend as the owner.
Police were investigating the death as a homicide. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said a motive is not known and few other details were released.
The case moved quickly as Riley was reported missing Tuesday, found dead Wednesday and Michaels surrendered Thursday. Authorities said he initially left Fresno but later contacted police and turned himself in that evening.
He was reportedly being held at the Fresno County Jail on one count of murder, with bail set at $1 million. Family members said he is the father of two of Riley’s children.
Family Sought Support For Mother’s Last Rites
Relatives started a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses. Riley reportedly left behind seven children.
Alison’s sister said on the GoFundMe page, “Hi my name is Alizabeth, I am Tatyana ‘Alison’s’ sister. I am starting this go fund me to help our family and her kids in this tragic time.”
“Alison (Tatyana) Riley went missing from her ex-boyfriend’s house on August 4th at 1pm. She was stopping by to visit her two youngest kids when suddenly everyone lost contact with her,” she added.
