Man’s lifeless body found on bench at Eastvale Gateway South

EASTVALE — Officials are investigating the death of a man whose lifeless body was found this morning, Thursday, Oct. 11, on a bench in front of a business within Eastvale Gateway South Shopping Center on the 12500 block of Limonite Ave.

The large shopping center is split by Limonite Ave., with more than 40 businesses and restaurants, including Kohls, Best Buy, Regal Cinemas, Target, and Home Depot within the north section of the center and about a half-dozen fast food restaurants and a Walgreens on the south side where the man’s body was discovered.

Several businesses within the shopping center’s south side were temporarily closed while officials conducted their initial on-scene investigation.

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Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials identified this afternoon Manuel Kittleson, 25, of Ontario, as the victim found deceased. A coroner’s release indicated Kittleson was pronounced dead within minutes of the dispatched call, at 8:51 a.m.

Today’s investigation began when Eastvale deputies and other emergency personnel responded to the shopping center after receiving a medical aid call, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Julio De Leon explained this afternoon.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire personnel arrived prior to deputies and discovered the 25-year-old already deceased.

Based on the circumstances, Eastvale deputies initiated a death investigation, which is active and ongoing. During their investigation, officials temporarily closed several businesses, including Little Caesars, Wing Stop, Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery, and One Touch Beauty. The affected businesses were allowed to reopen after officials concluded their initial investigation and coroner officials took custody of Kittleson’s body.

In the wake of Kittleson’s death, his family has established a gofundme account to raise necessary funds for the young man’s burial costs and other expenses. The fundraiser had raised $2,935 toward its stated $6,000 goal during the first day.

“Anybody who knew Manuel knows he had a heart of gold and always meant well,” the victim’s father explained. “He is loved by us all and will be missed dearly.”

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Martinez from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number EV182840006 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.

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