The body of the man who was found in a rural area of San Benito
County with a gunshot wound to his right leg has been identified as
45-year-old Antonio Chavez Sanchez, who was from Mexico, according
to Undersheriff Pat Turturici.
HOLLISTER
The body of the man who was found in a rural area of San Benito County with a gunshot wound to his right leg has been identified as 45-year-old Antonio Chavez Sanchez, who was from Mexico, according to Undersheriff Pat Turturici.
The body was identified late Wednesday through fingerprints processed by the California Department of Justice.
Sanchez’ was found in a “hilly, rural area” in southern San Benito County a week ago on the side of a private road in the vicinity of the 20000 block of Coalinga Road. The victim appeared to have a compound fracture to his right femur and had lost a large amount of blood.
After an autopsy and X-ray of the body, it was discovered the victim had been shot three times. Turturici said Sanchez was shot in the femur, as previously indicated, as well as in the hip and face. One of the bullets hit an artery in the victim’s abdomen and became lodged in his spine, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities still are unclear about where the shooting took place.
“It could have happened out of county,” Turturici said. “We’re still conducting the investigation.”
He added that detectives were at the scene again earlier today combing for clues.
While conducting its initial on-scene investigation, deputies found two marijuana grows, one of which had been harvested and the other still intact. After conducting a criminal history check and investigating the area where the body was found, authorities believe Sanchez may have been involved with the marijuana grows, according to an additional press release from the sheriff’s office.
The investigation is continuing, and if anyone has any information, they are asked to call the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (831) 636-4080.
