This article was written by BenitoLink intern Brea Spencer. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Pointing to multiple factors, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department posted on Facebook that it is treating the July disappearance of San Juan Bautista resident David Souza as suspicious.
“Due to the suspicious circumstances, this incident has been treated as more than a missing persons case,” the department announced in the post.
The sheriff’s department said in the post that detectives have served numerous search warrants and that the search and rescue team has conducted extensive searches across the county.
“Together, we are committed to using every available resource to uncover the truth and bring answers to Mr. Souza’s family,” the department said in the Facebook post.
On Aug. 5, Sheriff’s Ltn. Breyon Canez told BenitoLink suspicious factors in the case include Souza leaving his dogs and businesses unattended, both of which are on his property in San Juan Bautista. All of his vehicles were also left behind, Canez noted.
Souza was last heard from by clients on July 25 and was seen that day doing yard work at his home, Canez said. A friend of Souza’s reported him missing on July 29 after failing to get in contact with him. Souza’s phone is considered to be off.
“We are hoping for the best, but fearing for the worst,” Canez said, and included that investigators were currently unable to rule out foul play at the time.
Canez said that there were law enforcement officials at the property, in addition to a search and rescue team in the area, and added that they searched Salinas Road because of its secluded location and history of suspicious activity.
The department was also awaiting test results on blood found on Souza’s property outside of his home on a wheelbarrow. However, Canez said it remained unclear whether the blood is human or animal.
Canez said investigators were “leaving no stone unturned,” and were looking into any information that the community provides regarding Souza’s disappearance.
Souza is 60 years old and described as a 5-foot-9 man with a slender build and a bald head.
Anyone with information regarding Souza’s disappearance is urged to contact the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department at (831) 901-5061.
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