Local & Community
Imperial County Sheriff Investigates Suspicious Salton City Death
SUSPICIOUS DEATH INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN IMPERIAL COUNTY
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office has launched a comprehensive investigation after the body of a local man was discovered under highly suspicious circumstances in Salton City. Homicide detectives and forensic investigators are actively processing evidence to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal incident.
The discovery was made on the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026. According to sheriff's department officials, a citizen was traveling through the area when they noticed a body lying in a desert patch near the intersection of Plaza Avenue and Panorama Avenue. The resident immediately contacted emergency dispatchers to alert law enforcement.
First responders arriving at the scene confirmed the individual was deceased and quickly cordoned off the rural intersection to preserve physical evidence. The victim has since been formally identified by the Imperial County Coroner's Office as 34-year-old Pedro Montes Jr., a resident of the Salton City community.
Deputies noted that the initial physical evidence at the scene and trauma located on the body immediately indicated that the circumstances surrounding the death were suspicious. While investigators are actively pursuing leads and interviewing property owners along Panorama Avenue, the sheriff's department has not yet released any details regarding a potential motive or suspect descriptions.
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone who may have noticed unusual vehicle traffic or suspicious individuals in the vicinity of Plaza and Panorama Avenues late Saturday night or early Sunday morning to contact their central investigations unit immediately.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 20, 2026
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