Christian Peña, 24, was found shortly before sunrise on Monday, February 13, 2023, lying face down and unclothed along the shoulder of San Gabriel Canyon Road in the foothills above Azusa. A passerby called 911 and first responders and homicide detectives pronounced him dead at the scene in the 2000 block and began investigating how he had come to be on that quiet mountain corridor.

The coroner’s autopsy confirmed a fatal gunshot wound to the leg and ruled the manner of death a homicide. Detectives released few public details: there was no immediate word of a motive, the circumstances of the shooting were not disclosed, and officials did not explain why Peña was found unclothed. Appeals for tips were made as investigators canvassed the area and traced his movements in the days after the discovery.

Unverified reports later named a man arrested in Los Angeles County in July 2023, but authorities have not tied that arrest to Peña’s killing. Who shot Peña, why he was left near the roadway, and whether others were involved remain unanswered. If anyone has information about Christian Peña’s final hours or his movements in the Azusa foothills, please share what is known.