Renodo Start-Espana Gets 25 To Life In Body-In-Wall Murder Case, Abuse Of Step-Daughter

[Sugar Cookie]

Renodo Start-Espana, 37, was sentenced on May 28, 2026, to 25 years to life for first-degree murder after killing his roommate and hiding the body inside a wall of his Oroville apartment.

He also received a separate 10-year sentence for the forcible sexual assault of his teenage stepdaughter. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Bennett said the child lived in constant fear of Start-Espana and witnessed severe physical abuse inside the home, including abuse of the murder victim.

BCDA says Renodo Start-Espana, 37, had abused the victim, 38-year-old Rita Rigsbay, over a long period. An autopsy found more than 50 rib fractures in various stages of healing.

Oroville man gets life sentence in body-in-wall murder case, and assault of a child

The Butte County District Attorney's (BCDA) Office announced that an oroville man has been setenced to 25 to life a

krcrtv.com

Detectives from the Oroville Police Department found the body of an adult female hidden inside the wall of Start-Espana's 2-story apartment on September 30, 2025.

The badly decayed body was discovered inside of a wall beneath a staircase on the ground floor inside the apartment.


According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, dental records confirmed the body was that of Rigsbay, who was last reported as living with Start-Espana, his girlfriend, 3 other adults and 4 children in January of 2025.

Rigsbay had been reported as missing by relatives in January of 2025.

Ramsey said it is alleged that Rigsbay was tortured and killed by Start-Espana on January 9, 2025, after an argument.


After he killed Rigsbay, Start-Espana ordered two other adults in the apartment to douse her in bleach and household cleaner and to wrap her in an air mattress and a tarp.

A section of the wall under a stairwell was cut out, and Rigsbay's body was moved into the hole, which was covered with wallboard.

A dresser was also placed in front of the area, and Start-Espana insisted that incense be kept burning at all times to mask the smell.

Oroville man sentenced to 25 years to life for first-degree murder, additional 10 years for sexual molestation of child

When Renodo Start-Espana of Oroville was arrested for the child sex charges on September 23, 2025, his probation was revoked. He has been held in the custody of the Butte

www.actionnewsnow.com

She was a mentally disabled woman who was being abused and taken advantage of.

The roommates who were also physically abused were treated as victims of intimidation and coercion and were not charged.