NORTH COAST, Calif. – An Upper Lake man has been identified as the victim of a homicide reported earlier this week near Laytonville that may have been motivated by marijuana.
The body of Hugo Olea-Lopez, 23, was found on Monday morning in a remote location near Spyrock Road in Laytonville, according to a report from Lt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Earlier that day, Mendocino County Sheriff’s officials had received an anonymous report from a relative of Olea-Lopez that he had been murdered, Van Patten said.
Deputies and detectives who responded to the scene found the body of Olea-Lopez, who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said that during the processing of the crime scene sheriff's detectives noticed the presence of approximately 300 budding marijuana plants that had been recently cut as if to be harvested. The plants had been growing in an outdoor setting and inside of at least two temporary greenhouse structures.
He said sheriff's detectives learned Olea-Lopez had been camping at the location while tending to the growing marijuana plants. Olea-Lopez’s body was found in his camp in close proximity to the cut marijuana plants.
Van Patten said Olea-Lopez was not positively identified until Wednesday, the same day as his autopsy. The forensic exam’s preliminary findings showed Olea-Lopez appeared to have died as the result of a single gunshot wound to the torso.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation and have yet to determine a motive or identity of any suspect in connection with the homicide, Van Patten said.
The California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force, County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, Mendocino County District Attorney's Office and Ukiah Police Department have assisted in the investigation, Van Patten said.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip-Line by calling 707-234-2100.