Homicide investigation launched after discovery of body off South Main Divide in the Cleveland National Forest

A stretch of roadway south of Highway 74 in the Cleveland National Forest near the El Cariso Campground was re-opened to traffic Sunday after authorities investigated the suspected killing of a male whose body was found there.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department had closed South Main Divide three miles south of Highway 74 around 10:30 p.m Saturday after the body was found; the roadway was completely re-opened nearly 14 hours later, around 12:15 p.m. Sunday.

In a Sunday night statement, the Sheriff’s Department said a dead male was found in an open area west of the South Main Divide roadway. “Based on trauma found on the victim, a crime scene was secured, and the Central Homicide Unit responded,” the statement said, adding the victim had not been identified. There was no immediate information on how the male died.

Anyone with information about the incident was encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Manjarrez at (951) 955-2777, or Lake Elsinore Sheriff Station Investigator Gilbert at (951) 245-3300.