Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives have identified the remains of a male homicide victim, discovered nearly five years ago by construction workers, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.
The victim has been identified as Jonatan Luna Rodriguez, born in 1990.
The man’s remains was discovered buried June 8, 2009, as contractors started the excavation process for construction of a residential housing development in the 3100 block of Harold Drive SE in South Kitsap. The remains were found north of SE Lund Avenue and south of SE Lundberg Road.
Investigators classified the case as a homicide.
Detectives reported that Rodriguez had assumed the identity of a family member while living in Washington and went by the name of Moises Luna Rodriguez.
Based upon an analysis of the remains conducted by a forensic anthropologist for the King County medical examiner, detectives believed the deceased person was a Hispanic male in late his teens or early 20s.
Criminal intelligence recently developed by detectives provided a possible name. Investigators located members of Rodriguez’s family in the Jalisco region of Mexico. A DNA comparison from family members confirmed Rodriguez’s identity.
The investigation remains open and will focus on the cause of the death.
Detective Chad Birkenfeld is leading the investigation. He can be reached at 360-337-5619. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-8477.
