Slain Man Found in Creek Bed Was Bridge Teacher
Police said Wednesday that a 49-year-old man found shot to death in the Santiago Creek bed, not far from a car containing $5,000 in cash, was a South County bridge teacher.
A maintenance worker found the body of Rodney Duane Peeler at 8 a.m. Tuesday near a walking trail at the west side of W.O. Hart Park. The body had multiple bullet wounds from a small-caliber handgun, police said.
Peeler, whose last known address was Mission Viejo, advertised bridge instruction through parks and recreation centers in South County, according to Orange Police Lt. Timm Browne.
“We’re still investigating and trying to find out what the circumstances were,” Browne said.
Anyone with information about Peeler is asked to contact Detective Pat Thayer at (714) 744-7515.
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