2 Arrested After Body Found In 'Shallow Makeshift Grave' At Balboa Park: Police

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two people have been arrested in connection with a body found buried earlier this summer in San Diego's Balboa Park, authorities announced Thursday.

Police received a tip on July 25 about a body possibly being buried within the canyon areas surrounding Balboa Park, according to the San Diego Police Department. Detectives launched an investigation and found a "shallow makeshift grave" in the canyon hillside adjacent to state Route 163 near Richmond Street.

"Detectives worked with personnel from the Medical Examiner's Office and were able to locate a deceased male within the grave site," officials said in a news release. "The male was in a state of decomposition and had likely been there for several weeks."

The Medical Examiner determined the man, identified as 43-year-old James Garcia, had died from gunshot wounds and was the victim of a homicide. He was believed to be homeless in the Balboa Park area.

After further investigation, police said detectives developed probable cause to arrest 41-year-old Jeffrey Jones. Jones was arrested on July 28 for a probation violation. On Aug. 3, he was also booked on suspicion of murder.

A second suspect was arrested Wednesday in connection with case. Police believe Brandon Winegarden, 28, was an accessory in the case and helped bury Garcia's body. Winegarden was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of being an accessory and vehicle theft-related charges.

The suspects were also believed to be homeless in the Balboa Park area, police said.

"The Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case to develop more information regarding Garcia's death, including clarifying the motive for the shooting," officials said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.