Man found killed in Northeast Fresno is local music legend, friends say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- 59-year old Jonathan Mahaffey was found dead outside of a pizza restaurant near First and Bullard.

Related: Police investigate death of man after body discovered in Northeast Fresno

When police discovered Jonathan Mahaffey they say he was not breathing and had an unknown injury to his upper body. It was not until an x-ray was performed that coroner's office determined the musician had been shot.

Now, close friends are trying to figure out how to go on without someone whose voice was heard across the Valley.

"It was of an angel. I don't anyone that wasn't moved when Jonny sang," Helfin said.

Don Heflin was Jonny's bandmate in a group called, The Roids, back in the 80's. Pictures show them performing together on stage in places across the Central Valley.

However, the 59-year-old who had a soulful, raspy voice was found dead behind a pizza parlor this past Wednesday in Northeast Fresno.

"When we heard that he was murdered that they found a bullet in him that hit me in a whole another way. That really got me because he didn't deserve that he was a good guy he didn't deserve that."

Heflin says Jonny battled drug abuse for years but music, he says, was the local legend's way to bettering his life. He would randomly pop up to places like, DiCicco's in Clovis, to perform his original songs on blues night.

"People would be very happy and they'd be telling their buddy watch this guy is going to get up there you are going to enjoy this."

And that is how Heflin wants his friend to be remembered because he says Jonny sang with his heart.