New Arrest Brings Closure to 2016 Apple Valley Homicide Case
Suspect Arrested in 2016 Homicide Case in Apple Valley
Authorities in San Bernardino County have arrested a suspect in the 2016 murder of Michael Brooks, a resident of Apple Valley. The case, which went cold for several years, was revived in 2025 when the Cold Case Homicide Team identified Michael Roberts as a suspect.
On August 10, 2016, deputies responded to a residence located on the 12600 block of Apple Valley Road, where they discovered Brooks deceased inside. An investigation revealed he had died from a single gunshot wound, which was determined to be non-self-inflicted.
The case was handed over to the Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, which conducted an extensive inquiry. Despite interviewing multiple persons of interest, investigators did not identify a suspect at that time, leading the case to grow cold.
In 2025, the Cold Case Homicide Team reopened the investigation and focused on Roberts, who was 18 at the time of Brooks’s death and is now 27.
Roberts was apprehended on January 29, 2026, on a no-bail warrant issued in Denver, Colorado. He was subsequently interviewed by investigators while being held at the West Valley Detention Center on an unrelated matter. Following the interview, he was arrested on suspicion of murder, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities encourage anyone with additional information related to the case to reach out to the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904 or provide anonymous tips via We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or at wetip.com.
