Quick Take:
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office officially released the manner of death for the two men found dead in a truck in the Santa Cruz Mountains in late March and confirmed their identities. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the case.
Two Boulder Creek men found dead in a pickup truck in the Santa Cruz Mountains in late March died from gunshot wounds, authorities confirmed this week.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 53-year-old Colter White and 45-year-old Sean Pfeffer. White was killed by gunshot wounds to the torso and the left upper and lower extremities. Pfeffer was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest.
Family members had previously identified the two men, who they said were good friends.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators were called to the area of Highway 35 near Oak Ridge Road, south of Castle Rock State park, just before 7 p.m. on March 24, where they found two bodies inside of an abandoned pickup truck.
CHP Sgt. Andrew Barclay first told Lookout that the deaths were considered “suspicious,” but that there was little information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths, as there were no known witnesses. However, several days later, Barclay said that autopsy results prompted the agency to investigate the incident as a double homicide, but did not disclose the results.
Barclay told Lookout on Tuesday that the agency is in the midst of a “very active investigation” and that it is continuing to pursue any leads that have developed. He declined to say whether there are any suspects at this time.