A 74-year-old man already in custody for a 2023 murder in South Bay has been charged with three additional killings, including two that date back decades. Dwight William Rhone pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the newly filed murder charges, which include a 1993 strangulation and a 2002 fatal beating in San Diego County.
The third charge stems from human remains discovered in December 2025 at a property in the Southcrest neighborhood. The victim has been identified as Michael Brown, though his age and cause of death have not been released.
Rhone was initially arrested for the murder of Bernardo Moreno, 54, who was shot in the head on Interstate 5 near state Route 905 and then set on fire in October 2023. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office announced the new charges, which include a special circumstances allegation of multiple murders.
If convicted, Rhone faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors are also investigating whether Rhone is connected to the disappearance of Antenogenes Gomez Velasquez, a resident of the 3400 block of Newton Avenue who was last seen in 2021. Additionally, authorities are looking into a possible link to the 1989 death of Danice Galloway, 33, whose body was found in an alley on Main Street.
Rhone remains in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 2027.
The District Attorney's Office has urged anyone with information to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
"The District Attorney's Office will never stop seeking the truth no matter how many years have passed," San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. "Victims deserve justice and their families deserve answers."