Raul Vargas Castro, a 52-year-old Latino man, was found dead on January 3, 2019, in South Gate, California. His body was discovered face down next to the Los Angeles River just north of Tweedy Boulevard and Burtis Road; a construction worker noticed the body in the river. Castro was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:30 a.m., and the cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined the body had not been intentionally anchored but had become caught on debris in the river. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau believes Castro was shot somewhere north of where he was found, possibly in Bell Gardens. Castro had been living on the streets of Bell Gardens and reportedly had a disagreement with other people there; investigators were examining whether that dispute was related to the shooting. No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified and the investigation remains open.

If anyone has information about Raul Vargas Castro, his movements in Bell Gardens, or the events leading up to January 3, 2019, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.