Palm Desert domestic homicide investigation

On September 4, 2026, Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call regarding “unknown trouble” at The Enclave residential complex in Palm Desert, California. Upon arrival, authorities discovered a victim with traumatic injuries consistent with a physical assault; the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Vicky Kim, 65, was subsequently arrested on murder charges.

Later investigations identified the victim as Kim’s husband, R. Kaufman. Prosecutors allege that Kim used a flagpole to inflict the fatal injuries. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office noted a history of alleged domestic violence between the couple, including a previous felony charge and criminal protective orders issued in January.

Spokesperson Molly Smith stated that while the District Attorney’s Office had attempted to aggressively prosecute prior incidents, a judge had previously resolved Kim’s cases as misdemeanors and terminated existing protective orders. Kim has been booked into a local jail.