Missing Man Found In Santa Monica Mountains Was Shot: Coroner

AGOURA HILLS, CA — Authorities determined the missing 35-year-old whose remains were found in the Santa Monica Mountains had been shot multiple times.

Hikers found the remains of Jose Velasquez, 35, of Camarillo on Oct. 3, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. The body was found in the 2600 block of April Road in Agoura Hills, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The department identified the remains as Velasquez on Oct. 10, months after the man went missing in July.

A recent coroner's report determined Velasquez's death a homicide, detailing he had been shot multiple times. The Ventura County Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau opened an investigation.

READ MORE: Remains Of Missing 35-Year-Old Found In Santa Monica Mountains

Despite the coroner closing its case, little remains known about Velasquez's death. Velasquez was reported missing in July. He was last seen on July 27 near the Janss Market Place in Thousand Oaks and disappeared "under suspicious circumstances," according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

His family believed he had met with friends at a bar nearby, according to the Los Angeles Times. On Aug. 1, authorities found his work van about four miles from Janss Marketplace, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A GoFundMe account to help Velasquez's loved ones transport his body raised over $12,000 in just over two weeks.

"On behalf of our family, we want to announce that our beloved Toñito was taken from us. After searching for him for two months, his body remains were found in the mountains of Santa Monica," loved ones wrote on the GoFundMe.