California State Park Rangers and a deputy search and rescue team discovered a body in Ocotillo Wells State Park Friday about 24 hours after a man was reported missing in the area.
The man was reported missing and possibly stuck in sand to Park Rangers Thursday at around 4:30 p.m.
Rangers and San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) deputies searched the area by land and air until dark but could not find the man.
Rangers resumed their search Friday morning and found the man's car in a remote area of the park, the SDSO said.
The car was found around 9 a.m. between San Filipe Wash and Hills of the Moon Wash, according to California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno. Rangers also found footsteps headed west of that location, he said.
Rangers then called the SDSO for additional assistance and the department's Search and Rescue Unit was deployed. At about 5 p.m. crews found a male body about four miles away from the vehicle.
The SDSO Rural Enforcement team is investigating the incident and the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the man's identity and cause of death. The missing man's name was never released.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning at 11 a.m. Thursday for the Borrego Springs area that expired at 8 p.m. Friday.
Anyone with information on the incident can leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (888) 580) 8477. Up to $1,000 in rewards is offered for information that leads to a felony arrest.
An excessive heat warning is issued when there is a prolonged period of heat that will "create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible," the NWS said.
During that period temperatures can reach up 116 degrees.
Borrego Springs reached 114 degrees at 5 p.m. Friday.
