On Monday, March 30, 2026, deputies from the Vista Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a deceased individual located on an empty lot in the 1200 block of Hacienda Drive in Vista. Deputies arrived and confirmed the individual was deceased. No obvious signs of trauma were observed at the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office responded and took custody of the decedent.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during a thorough autopsy, the Medical Examiner identified a brain bleed that may have resulted from trauma to the head. Based on these findings, the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded and has assumed responsibility for the investigation.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the identity of the deceased, as well as the cause and manner of death. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
