Tip leads to shallow grave in Balboa Park; two people arrested after burying body in May – NBC 7 San Diego

Earlier this summer, an informant told San Diego police that a body was buried in Balboa Park.

Now, nearly two months later, investigators have recovered the body of a man they believe was shot in the park and taken two men into custody in connection with the murder.

All three people involved were homeless at the time of the incident and living in the park on May 3, police said, when Jeffrey Jones, 41, shot and killed 43-year-old James Garcia on the slope of the canyon off State Route 163 at Richmond Street. Jones, who has been charged with murder, was assisted by Brandon Winegarden, 28, who helped Jones bury Garcia's body, according to police.

On July 25, a person described by police as a concerned citizen notified SDPD that there might be a body buried in the park. Investigators were able to locate the body in a shallow grave. Garcia's body was in a state of decomposition after being buried there for weeks.

A few days later, on July 28, police arrested Jones on a parole violation while he was on the Cabrillo Bridge, not far from where the body was dug up, and charged him the following week with the Aug. 3 murder. Winegarden was found by investigators on Tuesday; he has since been arrested for being an accessory. He also faces charges of auto theft, police said.

Jones, who is being held without bail, is due in court on Oct. 3. His alleged accomplice, Winegarden, was set at $50,000 bail on all charges and has a court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.