SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The San Diego Police Department is investigating a homicide after a body was found in a riverbed in the Otay Valley Regional Park Sunday morning.
According to police, the call about the homicide came in at 10:48 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. Authorities were at the scene in the 200 block of Rancho Drive in Chula Vista to gather evidence for their investigation.
"Upon arriving, officers found an obviously deceased male suffering from trauma to his upper body that indicated he was the victim of a violent crime," SDPD's press release said. "It is very early in the investigation and detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the male."
The suspect has been identified as Milton Daniel Tax Zuzun, 18, of Mexico. “Detectives booked Zuzun for one count of Murder as he was already in custody at San Diego County Jail on unrelated charges,” the department said.
The family found the male victim, who was reported missing a couple of days ago, according to Shebloski. The victim has been identified as 49-year-old Jose Gonzales.
Police added, "... the victim resided with family members nearby in the City of Chula Vista and often frequented the area of the park where his body was ultimately found."
“Six years living right here in this neighborhood … nothing happened like that,” a neighbor told ABC 10News. “My daughter she came outside and she called me and said dad the fire department is outside.”
That neighbor told us their kids play in the park all the time.
“We were talking, me and my wife and the neighbors … We need to talk to the city to see if they can send a police officer to patrol around,” they said.
The department said the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is working to verify the exact cause of death.
Police also said they're looking for more information from the public.
If you have more information for police, reach out to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. You can also reach out to SDPD's Homicide Unit with your tip at 619-531-2293.
