Homeless man burned to death near Mission Bay
Reporting from San Diego — Police are investigating the case of an unidentified homeless man who burned to death in a field near Mission Bay, authorities said.
An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer spotted the fire on a vacant lot just north of Pacific Highway near Seaworld Drive about 11:30 p.m Friday, according to the San Diego Police Department
There are no homes in the area, which is between Interstate 5 and the bay and north of the San Diego River.
As of Saturday, it was not clear how the fire started, said Lt. Todd Griffin. Authorities have found no witnesses, and investigators with the San Diego Arson Strike Team and the police Homicide Unit are working the case.
So far, no suspects have been identified.
“We are not calling this a homicide, but a suspicious death,” Griffin said.
San Diego saw a string of attacks on the homeless in 2016, including two incidents where victims were set on fire. Officials eventually arrested Jon David Guerrero, who is awaiting trial on charges of murder, premeditated attempted murder, arson and assault.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at (619) 531-2293 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
