Parents of Teen Sought in Body Burning Freed

Hemet - The mother and stepfather of a teenager suspected in the murder of another teen, whose body was charred in a bonfire in Hemet, were freed from jail because charges had not yet been filed against them, officials said Tuesday.

Jose Juan Seym and Maria Alvarado Seym, who were booked Friday on suspicion of being accessories to the killing, were freed Monday. Suspects can only be detained for 72 hours without being charged with a crime.

"This is an ongoing, still very fluid investigation," said John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. "We continue to work closely with the Hemet Police Department and once the investigation is concluded we will evaluate all the evidence presented to us and make a determination as to any charges that may be filed."

Jose Seym was taken into custody on Thursday and questioned, but was not booked into the Southwest Detention Center until 24 hours later.

Both were originally held in lieu of $5,000 bail, but over the weekend, bail was raised to $1 million for both.

The couple were arrested in connection with the death of 17-year-old Adrian Rios, whose charred remains were found in a shallow grave at the Hemet home the Seyms rented.

Maria Seym, who had some traffic tickets, appeared in court Monday, paid fines for a seat belt violation and speeding and was released.

Adrian Rios, Jose Campos and his girlfriend, Felicia Sharp, all 17 and from Hemet, were reported missing Nov. 16. Rios' remains -- two feet and some bone fragments -- were found two days later in a shallow grave behind Campos' family's home on Bluejay Way.

Police said they believe Campos, who is being sought, shot Rios with a .22-caliber gun before the body was burned and the bulk of his remains taken elsewhere.

Police said they did not believe the Seyms participated in the killing.

Another man who had been sought, 21-year-old Rene Lopez-Fregozo, was questioned Friday and released. Police believe Rios was murdered the night of Nov. 15 or early Nov. 16.

Police following up on a missing persons reported filed by Rios' mother searched the Bluejay Way home and found the human remains in the backyard.

Sharp walked into the Hemet police station with her mother shortly after the remains were found at the home. She was questioned and released, but has since disappeared again.