A San Jose biker whose body was found in the Santa Cruz
Mountains last fall may have been with members of another motorcycle gang when
he was last seen alive, and authorities are seeking the public's help for new
leads in the homicide case, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's
Office.
Eric Dean Garcia, 32, was reported missing Sept. 20 and his decomposed body
was found Oct. 13 by a hiker near Mount Bache. An investigation suggested that
he was killed somewhere else. Garcia, a members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, was last seen by friends and relatives Sept. 18 when he left a party near downtown San Jose and promised a quick return. Detectives now say he went to the Park Lane Lounge on Moorpark Avenue
Anyone with information can contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office at 831-454-2311, leave a tip at 831-454-2847 or email Shf236@co.santa-cruz.ca.us.
Santa Cruz County deputies seek witnesses in San Jose biker's homicide..
SUMMIT -- Trying to unravel the homicide of a 32-year-old man
found dead in the Santa Cruz Mountains in October, Santa Cruz County sheriff's
deputies are seeking people who might have seen Eric Dean Garcia at a San Jose
bar a few weeks before he was discovered.
Garcia, of San Jose, was a member of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, deputy
April Skalland said Thursday. His remains were found in the Mount Bache area of
the Santa Cruz Mountains on Oct. 13, 2012.Deputies have not said how they believe Garcia was killed or exactly where his body was found but they believe he was "murdered at a different location," Skalland said.
Garcia was last seen about 2 a.m. Sept. 19, 2012 at Park Lane Lounge at 5152 Moorpark Ave. in San Jose, Skalland said.
That night at the lounge, Garcia was seen "in the company of" people who associate with Ghost Mountain Riders Motorcycle Club, Skalland said.
Bar patrons are likely to have seen Garcia, also known as "Peeka," talking to others that night. Investigators are seeking more information from witnesses.
Garcia was Latino and about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 350 pounds, deputies said. He likely wore blue jeans, a white shirt and a black leather jacket without markings.
No arrests have been made.
Deputies on Thursday released a photo of Garcia and the logo of the Ghost Mountain Riders Motorcycle Club to help jog the memories of witnesses.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information to call the investigations division at 831-454-2311 or the anonymous tipline at 831-454-5995.
This story will be updated.
