Body found in Fresno County Vineyard, new details on man's identity

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A field worker found a body Tuesday morning around 7:00 near Cherry and Manning avenues in Fresno County.

The bike that neighbors say Rudy Gonzales was riding around the time he died was taken as evidence.

Investigators aren't sure why he was in the vineyard or what he may have been doing when he died sometime within the last week.

The body was discovered when workers showed up Tuesday morning and started turning dirt.

"They immediately backed out and called 9-1-1. Deputies responded and when they did, they did find the body of a deceased male," said Chris Curtice, with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives and deputy coroners are waiting on an autopsy to make a positive identification of the man who relatives believe is Gonzales.

A neighbor said the area is usually quiet with a few pedestrians and bicyclists sometimes passing by. We're told he never noticed anything unusual.

Bryan Carrillo explained, "It was a surprise to know that somebody had actually perished out here in the vineyards and may have been out here for a couple days or longer."

Gonzales was never reported missing by family members, who say it's not unusual for him to leave for a few days at a time.

Officials say there's no obvious sign of foul play, but it's hard to tell because the body was outside, in the sun for an extended period of time.

Curtice said, "We don't know if it's a homicide at this time but we are treating it as a suspicious death until we find out more."

At the scene, all potential evidence was documented and collected, in case an autopsy reveals anything unusual.

It's not known if Gonzales had any medical issues, but investigators will also be looking into his past health and habits. They will also be interviewing those in the area.