Edward Rodrigo Medina, 27, of Bakersfield, California, was last seen March 7, 2021. His family reported him missing April 9, 2021, after his vehicle was found abandoned in the 1700 block of East Planz Road. On April 12, 2021 his body was discovered in an orchard in the 6000 block of Di Giorgio Road. He had been shot once in the chest.

Investigators tied the killing to a dispute over a 2006 Ford F-150 Medina had acquired in a trade that included an enclosed trailer. Witnesses said Medina wanted to return the truck because of problems with it, while the man who traded the truck suspected the trailer Medina gave was stolen. The dispute reportedly escalated and Medina was shot in front of the truck’s previous owner’s home. Tire tread marks at the orchard matched those of the pickup, and one man admitted to helping dispose of Medina’s body.

Two Bakersfield residents, Manuel Zamora and Fabian Villarreal, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Kern County Jail; a court hearing was set for July 12, 2021. Does anyone have information about the trade involving the truck or saw activity around East Planz Road or Di Giorgio Road in March or April 2021?