The man found dead in an orchard Thursday has been identified as 49-year-old Silvestre Soto. The autopsy was completed Friday and detectives say the cause of death was shotgun wounds and they have ruled it a homicide.
KCSO Detectives were sent to an orchard on Neumarkel Road which is just north of Edison Highway.
At about 8:10 a.m. a worker had been checking orchards in the area and noticed a vehicle parked on the extension road between two orchards.
The vehicle did not belong in the area so he decided to check on the vehicle. When he did he found the body of an obviously deceased man lying on the ground near the vehicle.
Sheriff's deputies determined the person was deceased and requested detectives respond to the scene. The body displayed obvious signs of trauma. It does not appear the body and vehicle had been in the area for more than a day.
Detectives have initiated a homicide investigation.
The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information on this case they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040. Anonymous text tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411). Just type the keyword “KCSO” prior to the message.
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