Human remains of a 35-year-old man who was reported missing to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in late July were discovered in the Santa Monica Mountains.
According to a news release from VCSO, hikers came across the remains on Oct. 3 within Los Angeles County.
Authorities with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s office responded to the scene.
The remains were identified as Jose Velasquez, who had disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the release.
A native of Honduras, Velasquez moved to Simi Valley in 2016 and worked as a plumber, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. After obtaining his general contractor’s license in 2021, the 35-year-old moved to an apartment in Camarillo.
Family members told the Times that on the night of July 27, Velasquez had a beer near Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks with friends. He and his friends then headed for his residence.
On Aug. 1, Velasquez’s van, which he used for work, was found about four miles from Janss Marketplace. It did not appear that anything was stolen from the vehicle.
A cause of death is under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Ventura County Sheriff’s Detective Jeff Jacobs at 805-384-4726.