Press Release: MCSO Detectives Arrest Subject For Murder of Person Found Buried Along Pajaro River Levee

DATE/TIME: 7/11/25 at 6:00 PM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives Arrest Suspect For Murder of Person Who Was Found Buried Along the Pajaro River Levee

LOCATION: Salinas, California

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 61-year-old Bernardino Rickie Sanchez of Pajaro for the murder of Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa, whose body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee.

On April 10th, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office detectives received information leading them to believe there was a possible body that had been buried along the Pajaro River levee. Detectives responded to the area and located a body. A post-mortem forensic examination identified the subject as 36-year-old Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa of Watsonville. That examination also revealed details that lead detectives to investigate this incident as a homicide.

After conducting interviews with independant witnesses which included members of the Pajaro River Levee unhoused community, detectives were able to arrest 61-year-old Bernardino Rickie Sanchez of Pajaro for the murder of Duarte Figueroa. Sanchez was already in custody in the Monterey County Jail for unrelated drug and weapons violation.

On July 11th, 2025, Sanchez was booked for additional violations of 187(a) PC, Murder and 7054(a)(1) HS, Unlawful Disposal of Human Remains. His bail for these new charges is currently set at $1,000,000.00.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask anyone with information that may be related to this incident, to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Geng at 831-253-6029 or Detective Sergeant James Day at 831-597-0065. Information can be provided anonymously.