Fountain Valley : Body Found in Riverbed Ruled Victim of Suicide
The body of a 44-year-old man was found Tuesday morning in the Santa Ana riverbed 500 feet from the San Diego Freeway near the Fountain Valley-Costa Mesa line, the victim of a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.
An autopsy later Tuesday showed that the man had killed himself, a county coroner’s office spokesman said. A handgun was found near the body, he said.
Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Rivas said the victim’s name was being withheld pending family notification.
The body was discovered about 7:15 a.m. by someone who contacted the Fountain Valley Police Department, Rivas said.
He said the case was transferred to the Sheriff’s Department because the county law enforcement agency patrols all flood control channels and the Santa Ana River itself.
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