Discovered Near Scripps Ranch : Body Identified as Missing Southeast S.D. Man

The body of a man found Monday in a canyon near Scripps Ranch was identified Tuesday as Henry L. Foster Sr., 55, a Southeast San Diego resident missing since Dec. 10.

Foster, who had suffered a stroke in 1984 that resulted in memory lapses and disorientation, had last been seen at Leisure Lanes, a bowling alley in Lemon Grove. His car was found in a parking lot of the trolley station at Martin Luther King Way and Euclid Avenue.

Foster’s body was found about 5:30 p.m. Monday by a resident walking a dog in the canyon, east of Interstate 15 and north of Mira Mesa Boulevard.

Deputy Coroner Penne Hammerstead said the body was badly decomposed and identification was made through dental records.

Police spokesman Bill Robinson said there was no apparent indication that Foster’s death was the result of foul play but he said homicide detectives were continuing to investigate.

Foster’s daughter, Francine Williams, said the family believes Foster was abducted and later killed.

“I firmly believe that foul play was involved in this case,” Williams said. “He was found without his jewelry, in an isolated area.”

Williams described her father as a gentle man who was approachable and enjoyed people and conversation. She said the stroke that left him sometimes disoriented also caused him to walk with a limp and gave him trouble holding things with his left hand.

She said family and friends continued searching for Foster until the body was found, even though the hope of finding him alive was fading.

“I’m just sorry it had to come to a tragic end,” Williams said. “Now, we are very concerned to find out what happened.”

The family’s hopes for finding Foster unharmed were raised in late December when Paul Peterson, a missing Alzheimer’s disease victim from La Mesa, was found alive and well.

Williams said Foster was a retired construction contractor who over a 30-year period had helped to build many roads and freeways in the San Diego area. Williams said her father had particularly contributed to the construction of sidewalk wheelchair ramps.

Foster, who was divorced, is survived by six children, ages 29 to 38.