NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and woman whose bodies were found in a van in Fort Bragg this week.
Lt. Greg Stefani of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said that just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday deputies were dispatched to the 31000 block of Highway 20, Fort Bragg, for a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in the area.
Upon their arrival, sheriff's deputies located a mini van parked near the area of the “bark dump.” Stefani said the van was parked in a manner which prevented it from being seen from Highway 20.
Deputies checked the interior of the van and discovered a deceased female in the front driver seat and a deceased male in the front passenger seat, Stefani said.
He said both victims appeared to have suffered wounds to the head. The exact cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the victims may not be Mendocino County residents, according to Stefani.
The female victim has been identified, but sheriff's detectives are still attempting to locate her next of kin, said Stefani.
He said the male victim has yet to be positively identified.
Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office “tip line” at 707-234-2100.