Man’s Body Found in Abandoned Car

A man’s body was found Monday in the trunk of a car abandoned days earlier off Ortega Highway near Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, according to Sheriff’s Department officials.

The car was parked at the San Juan Campground, in an unincorporated area southeast of San Juan Capistrano, officials said. Deputies were alerted to the scene by a woman who reported seeing the abandoned car last Friday and then again Monday, Lt. Ron Wilkerson said.

The woman told deputies she smelled a foul odor that appeared to be coming from the car, Wilkerson said.

Officials are investigating the case as a homicide. Wilkerson said the adult male victim was identified Tuesday but his name would not be released until relatives could be notified. The man is not from Orange County, Wilkerson said.