2 Immigrants Found Dead in Remote Desert

Two men believed to be illegal immigrants from Mexico were found dead over the weekend, apparently of heat-related causes, near this remote desert town.

The bodies were found six miles south of California 78, near the border of Imperial and San Diego counties, said Jesse Lopez, an investigator for the Imperial County coroner.

A San Diego man was found dead of the heat Saturday in the same area, but the cases are not related, Lopez said.

One body was found about midnight Saturday by a man riding an off-road motorcycle, Lopez said. After following footprints about half a mile, Border Patrol agents found the second body Sunday morning.

The two men had been dead less than a day and were thought to have been traveling together to the Coachella Valley to seek jobs for the grape-picking season, Lopez said.

Identification found on one man indicated that he was a 21-year-old Mexican national, Lopez said. His name was being withheld pending notification of his family. The other man carried no identification.

The San Diego man found earlier Saturday was identified as Jesse W. Harper, 41. He had last been seen Wednesday near Anza-Borrego State Park. His body was found after a search by San Diego and Imperial County authorities.