Probe of Death in Imperial Beach

Sheriff’s homicide detectives were called to a residence in the 5600 block of Bonita Avenue in Imperial Beach late Wednesday after the discovery of a man’s body by a neighbor, John Schuler. Sheriff’s Sgt. D.Q. Martin said Schuler had not seen the dead man, in his 60s, for nine days and became concerned.

Martin said there appeared to be foul play involved, and that blood smears and spatters indicated blows to the victim’s head. Robert Grubb, a deputy coroner, said an autopsy revealed the cause of death to be suffocation. A coroner’s spokesman said the death is under investigation. The dead man’s name was not released Thursday because, a coroner’s spokesman explained, only a tentative identification had been made.