San Diego County sheriff's deputies say the man found dead inside an auto parts shop in Vista is the father of a suspect in a high-profile Oceanside murder.
Ruben Bodden, 59, was found dead around 12:30 p.m. Sunday inside SBAJ Transmission, located at 1219 North Santa Fe Avenue.
Bodden's son, Brian, is the suspect in two high-profile murders in Libby Lake Park according to sheriff's deputies. .
Four teenagers were gunned down at the Oceanside park on March 13, 2013. Edgar Sanchez Rios, 16, and Melanie Virgen, 13, died from their injuries. The two other teenagers were seriously injured.
Four people were arrested weeks after the teenagers' deaths with a fifth suspect arrested months later.
Late Sunday, detectives got a search warrant to go inside SBAJ Transmission.
Detectives are searching a nearby vacant lot, parked cars near the location and interviewing other potential witnesses.
One of the things they'll have to determine is whether there's any connection between this homicide scene and the Libby Lake murders.
“At this point, the only thing we know is that the victim has a son who is in custody related to that case,” Lt. Glenn Giannantonio said. “We’re not ruling anything out at this point, it’s still too early in the investigation.”
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He said investigators have some ideas as to a motive but could not disclose details to the media.
According to officials, Bodden's wife became worried when her husband didn't come home Saturday night. She went to his business the next day and discovered his body.
Officials have not released a cause of death, but described the death as “suspicious.”
They have not identified any suspect or suspect vehicle related to the case.
On Sunday night, family and friends lit candles in memory of Ruben Bodden.
"Feel sorry for their families," neighbor Ramiro Roman said. "It's kind of scary for the rest of the families that live around here also."
"It shows that nobody is safe out here no matter how old you are," said Chris Smith, a friend of the victim.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the sheriff's department at 858-974-2321 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
