Body of Shooting Victim Discovered; Deputies Seek Help in Identification

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the apparent murder of an unidentified man whose body was found Monday in a construction area near the junction of Diamante and Calle Fino Clarete, authorities said Tuesday.

An autopsy revealed that the man, whose age was estimated at 20 to 30, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Lt. Dan Martini.

Martini said the body was apparently set ablaze after the killing. The body, more than 80% of it burned, was in a decomposed condition when discovered.

Two San Clemente residents looking for a lost pet discovered the partially clothed body about 7 p.m. Monday and called police. A helicopter from the Orange County Fire Department was called in to shine high-powered lights on the area to aid in a search of the crime scene, Martini said.

The victim, either white or Latino, was 5 feet, 8 inches tall, according to the coroner’s office.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the victim or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s homicide unit at (714) 647-7055 or, after normal business hours, at (714) 647-7000.