Body Found Alongside Highway 101 on Nojoqui Grade

Buellton - July 15th, 2010

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a severely burned body alongside Highway 101 about six miles south of Buellton.

At approximately 4:13am on Thursday, July 15, 2010, the California Highway Patrol responded to the report of a fire off the side of the northbound lanes of Highway 101 on the Nojoqui Grade 1½ miles north of the Highway 1 exit. Santa Barbara County Firefighters also responded and put out the flames.

During this time, a severely burned body of what appeared to be an adult male was discovered in the remnants of the fire. There was no vehicle in the area and it is not clear when and how the body came to be in the area. Due to the suspicious nature of the scene, The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office was called. Sheriff’s Deputies, Detectives, and Forensic and Coroner personnel all responded to the scene to begin an investigation.

Authorities closed the far right hand northbound lane of highway 101 for the day as investigators gathered information and potential evidence. Authorities planned to reopen the lane at approximately 6:00pm.

At this time the body has not been identified. An autopsy is planned for tomorrow. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Sheriff’s Detectives at 805-934-6170 or the Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip Line at 805-681-4171.

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please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

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