Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit have identified 78 year old Cheryl Hanoian and 60 year old James Kelley McFarland as the woman and man found deceased inside a Fowler home.
Cheryl was the mother of James.
Around 6:30 pm on Wednesday, a 911 call came into the Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible assault with a deadly weapon incident taking place at a home on the 600 block of Citrus Ave. in the city of Fowler. The caller said their family member, James McFarland, was threatening to shoot his mother, Cheryl Hanoian, along with his dogs.
Fowler Police arrived at the home and did not get a response from anyone at the house. As a safety measure, a sheriff’s deputy deployed a drone to check for any movement both inside and outside of the home. Nothing was seen, so officers eventually entered the home. There they found a man, woman and three dogs deceased from gunshot wounds.
The Fowler Police Department then requested the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit take over the investigation.
Detectives have learned McFarland recently moved into his mother’s home in Fowler, along with his pets, after living out of state for several years. It is unknown what may have led to this tragic situation.
This is the first homicide of 2025 in the city of Fowler.
Anyone with further information can contact Sheriff’s Detective Juan Galindo at (559) 600-8215. You may also contact Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #25-10716.
James Kelley McFarland