RivCo Men Found Dead Along Santa Ana River Bottom Identified

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- Two men who died under suspicious circumstances in the Santa Ana River bottom near the boundary separating Jurupa Valley and Riverside, were publicly identified on Thursday.

Kevin James Nelson, 32, and Jonathan Edward Townsend, 38, both of Riverside, were discovered dead in the area of Crestmore Road and the Mission Inn Avenue bridge on the morning of Sept. 2.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies and firefighters were called to the location to investigate reports of people in distress and found the men's bodies, as well as a woman suffering moderate to serious injuries. The woman was taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment, but no information was released regarding her identity or whether she was connected to the fatalities.

Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Baeza described the men's deaths as "suspicious," but would not elaborate further. He said Central Homicide Unit detectives are handling the case and seeking witnesses.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the investigative team at (951) 955-2777.

City News Service contributed to this report.