Authorities in Santa Ana are conducting an investigation following the discovery of a deceased man along the Santa Ana River Trail. According to a press release from the Santa Ana Police Department, a body was reported to them by the Orange County Fire Authority on Wednesday, August 14, around 4:38 p.m. located in the dirt landscaped area near 2100 W. 17th Street.
The man was identified by the Orange County Coroner’s Office as Raul Beltran, a 51-year-old hailing from Santa Ana. Originally treated as a suspicious death, Mr. Beltran was found with injuries suggesting they may have resulted from blunt force trauma, as per the Santa Ana Police Department. This detail has raised the possibility of a traffic collision being involved in the incident, prompting the Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) to take over the inquiry. Notably, at the time of discovery, no suspect was found at the scene.
Anyone in possession of information related to Mr. Beltran's death is encouraged to reach out to Detective Sergeant R. Shin at 714-245-8294, or to the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at 714-245-8200.
