Family members are pulling together reward money to generate leads in a Chula Vista high school student's mysterious death. Homicide investigators say the teen may have been the victim of a hit-and-run incident.
The body of Anthony Hofer was found last week in some brush off Heritage Road, near Sleep Train Amphitheater.
A jogger made the discovery Thursday morning along a path Hofer would often walk, his friends say. It was just five minutes from his home.
Chula Vista Police homicide detectives have questioned several witnesses and obtained video surveillance footage from the area to try and determine what may have happened to Hofer.
The family contacted police after midnight Thursday, according to a department spokesperson.
Hofer was found on the side of the road next to a tree with trauma on his face and parts of his body. He was wearing no shoes or socks when he was found, officials said.
Hofer's death appears on the surface to be the case of a hit-and-run incident, Chula Vista Police spokesperson Lt. Lon Turner. However, investigators are waiting for results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Family and friends sent up a prayer Friday night for the teenager, releasing black balloons
The 17-year-old attended Olympian High School where students honored him Monday by wearing black for a second day.
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“Seeing a lot of black was pretty sad obviously,” said student Brenda Gonzalez. She didn’t know Tony personally but said there were students who were crying on campus.
A family representative told NBC7 that they were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case. Turner said the family was working with San Diego Crimestoppers to organize a reward effort.
Anyone with information on the incident can call Chula Vista homicide detectives at (619) 691-5151.
