Joseph Michael Montoya, 43, of Rosamond, California, was found shot and dead on June 1, 2021, near West Avenue O and Legacy Lane in Palmdale, Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Coroner identified Montoya and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened a homicide investigation at the scene.

Initial reports state Montoya had been shot, but details about what led to the shooting and the identity of any suspect or suspects were not released. There were no immediate arrests in the days following the killing, and investigators asked the public for help as they followed leads and collected evidence.

If anyone was in the West Avenue O and Legacy Lane area around June 1, 2021, or has information that could help the investigation, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.