Ayo Wharton, 19, was found dead on November 2, 2011, near a hiking path in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park after leaving his family home in Linda Vista the evening before. He told his mother he would be back soon and had taken a call shortly before leaving; the nature of that call is unclear. A man walking his dog discovered Wharton’s body the next morning. He had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head and the death was ruled a homicide.

Wharton had been diagnosed with schizophrenia two years earlier but had reportedly been improving and was working at Party City in Clairemont. His mother, Gwendolyn Wharton, said he would not have willingly gone off with a stranger, suggesting he knew whoever was with him that night. Authorities suspected a possible robbery and did not believe the killing was gang-related, but there were no immediate leads or suspects.

Anyone with information about that night or Wharton’s movements is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Cold Case Team.