Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

The death of a man who disappeared in early August and whose body was found in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park over the weekend has proven baffling to investigators.

An autopsy report filed on Steven Bond, 37, of San Diego, states his head was “heavily traumatized.” But Robert Grubb, supervising deputy coroner, was unable to confirm whether the injuries resulted in the victim’s death. Grubb said he is uncertain whether the injuries were inflicted accidentally or intentionally, and added that his office will conduct further tests.

“We haven’t been able to get any new leads on (the case), and we still don’t know the cause of death,” said Sgt. Danny Goodrich, a homicide investigator with the Sheriff’s Department.

Goodrich said Bond’s car was found “normally parked” in La Mesa Monday, and there was no indication of where it was discovered.

Bond’s partially decomposed body was clad in gym shorts, socks and athletic shoes when it was found about 11 a.m. Saturday by a hiker 50 yards west of California 79 and 1.6 miles south of Lookout Road, Grubb said.

Bond, an administrator at La Mesa Convalescent Hospital, was last seen alive Aug. 2. When he failed to appear for work Aug. 3, his girlfriend notified police, Goodrich said.

Hired in January, Bond had been responsible for overseeing operations of the 110-bed nursing home and its 100-member staff, said Robert Karnatz, Bond’s supervisor.