Santa Ana: Personal Trainer Convicted In Double Murder Inside Condo

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05.03.2022 | 6:30 PM | SANTA ANA – A former personal trainer was convicted today on two counts of murder for killing a man and woman inside a Newport Beach condo on Apr. 20, 2019.

Jamon Rayon Buggs, 47, formerly of Huntington Beach, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance for multiple murders and use of a firearm, along with one count each of attempted first-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The charged stemmed from what prosecutors alleged was a romantically motivated murder inside a condo in the 2100 block of East 15th Street in Newport Beach.

Buggs, who suspected his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were inside the home, shot and killed both 38-year-old Darren Donald Partch, of Newport Beach, and 48-year-old Wendi Sue Miller, of Costa Mesa, prosecutors said.

Partch had been threatened on two separate occasions by Buggs even though Partch denied having a relationship with Buggs’ former girlfriend, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors Buggs also researched information about Partch, whom he suspected to be his former girlfriend’s new boyfriend, on the internet before scouting out former and current residences of his.

On one such occasion Buggs attempted to break into an Irvine apartment occupied by another man he suspected was having a relationship and ultimately fired a shot as he fled.

Irvine police conducted surveillance on the apartment where the burglary attempt occurred when Buggs reportedly returned the next day.

A high-speed pursuit ensued that ended in an Irvine neighborhood when Buggs fled on foot. After hours of searching both Buggs and a firearm matching the one used to kill Partch and Miller was located.

Buggs was previously convicted of assaulting on a police officer and faces a possible life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.