Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit have identified the two individuals found dead in a Fowler home as 78-year-old Cheryl Hanoian and her son, 60-year-old James Kelley McFarland.
Authorities responded to a 911 call around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, reporting a possible assault with a deadly weapon at a residence on the 600 block of Citrus Ave. in Fowler. The caller indicated that James McFarland was threatening to shoot his mother, Cheryl Hanoian, as well as his dogs.
When officers from the Fowler Police Department arrived, they received no response from inside the home. For safety, a sheriff’s deputy used a drone to look for movement in and around the property but found nothing. Officers then entered the house and discovered a man, woman, and three dogs, all deceased from gunshot wounds.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation at the request of the Fowler Police Department. Detectives learned that McFarland had recently moved into his mother’s home with his pets after living out of state for several years. The motive behind the incident remains unknown.
This marks the first homicide reported in Fowler in 2025.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sheriff’s Detective Juan Galindo at (559) 600-8215. Valley Crime Stoppers can also be reached at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward. The case reference number is #25-10716.
