Hikers find remains of man missing for months in CA. Officials ruled it a homicide

Hiker recently discovered the remains of a man missing since July in California mountains. Now officials have ruled his death a homicide.

Jose Velasquez, a 35-year-old from Camarillo, was reported missing July 30, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Hikers found human remains in the mountains at about 6 p.m. Oct. 3, officials said. The remains were found near a hiking trail in the Santa Monica Mountains, according to the Associated Press.

Officials had previously found his car parked in Thousand Oaks, the Ventura County Star reported.

The Los Angeles County Coroner now says Velasquez’s death was ruled a homicide. He died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The death investigation is ongoing, according to the Ventura County Star. Anyone with information is asked to contact detective Jeff Jacobs at 805-384-4729.

The Santa Monica Mountains stretch from the Hollywood Hills near Los Angeles to Point Mugu in Ventura County.

This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Hikers find remains of man missing for months in CA. Officials ruled it a homicide."