UPDATE: New details after man’s battered and “mutilated” body found on 299E

UPDATED: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 12 p.m.

BELLA VISTA — Authorities are investigating after a man’s lifeless body was discovered along 299E in the unincorporated community of Bella Vista Monday morning, Oct. 7. According to sheriff’s and CHP officials, the victim was found with “significant injuries,” and Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is now investigating the cause of the man’s death.

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Shasta County sheriff’s deputies, along with CHP and Cal Fire, were first alerted to Monday’s discovery around 7 a.m., after a passing motorist called 911 to report finding what appeared to be a man’s body. According to the caller, the body was in plain view, in a large turn out on the south, eastbound side of SR-299E, just east of just east of Sugar Pine Camp Rd. and west of Ingot, Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit Sgt. Jesse Gunsauls and CHP have since reported.

When officials arrived, they confirmed “finding a deceased male with significant injuries,” Gunsauls explained.

CHP officers are seen discussing the circumstances after a man’s beaten and partially mutilated body was discovered along 299E, between Sugar Pines Conservation Camp and Ingot. Colton Chavez/KRCR News Channel 7 image.

According to CHP MAIT Officer Dalin, who spoke with KRCR News Channel 7 from the scene, “(The victim) had some of what appeared to not only be blunt force injuries, possibly a gunshot injury, I can’t confirm that, and there did appear to be some severe lacerations and mutilation on the left hand.”

Based on the circumstances and their initial investigation, deputies summoned members of Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit who responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, with extensive assistance from CHP.

“At this time the case is being investigated as a suspicious death,” Gunsauls explained; saying the victim’s identity will not be released pending further investigation, positive identification of the person – who has only been described as a Hispanic male, and notification of the man’s family.

An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week, and Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is actively conducting follow up investigation to determine the person or persons who may be responsible for the victim’s death, according to Gunsauls.

“At this time, there is no indication the general public’s safety is at risk,” Gunsauls continued. “Further information as to motives, involved parties and other investigative information will not be released at this time.”

The Major Crimes Unit has urged anyone with information about this investigation or may have seen any suspicious activity near the area described to immediately contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or by email. Callers can refer to incident file number 19S037339 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.