Homicide investigation: Body of Pasco man, 33, found off Bateman Road

4 P.M. UPDATE:

Detectives have reached the family of the homicide victim to tell them he is deceased, and have released his name: Hector Cortez-Ballardo of Pasco. He was 33 years old, the sheriff’s office said.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office says the victim is 33-year-old Hector Cortez-Ballardo from Pasco. Detectives are continuing to investigate this as a homicide. @KAPPKVEW https://t.co/asjAW06AKd

— Neil Fischer (@NeilFischerTV) September 15, 2021

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

BENTON COUNTY, Wash. — A man turned up dead off the side of a road in Benton County on Tuesday. Now county authorities believe another person killed him, making this a homicide case.

“Detectives are now investigating this case as a homicide,” the Benton County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook, updating a previous post. “The victim is an adult male from the Tri-Cities.”

Investigators say they were able to identify the deceased on Wednesday morning. Now they are trying to notify his next of kin. After that, the sheriff’s office or coroner’s office plans to release the victim’s name.

Benton County Chief Deputy Coroner Dennis Morris first confirmed with KAPP-KVEW on Wednesday morning that the body found on Tuesday off of Bateman Road was that of a male. An autopsy has been scheduled for next week.

MORE FROM YAKTRINEWS.COM:

• One dog dies, two recovered from potentially toxic algae in Columbia River
• Yakima teens injured in gang-related shootout
• Disney on Ice coming to Washington arenas this fall
• Eastern Washington DNR lands to reopen on Thursday
• AP source: Seattle Mariners to host 2023 MLB All-Star Game
• Yakima County nonprofit helps tenants facing illegal ‘lockouts’

A postal service employee who was delivering mail made the discovery in the area of Bateman Road near Bofer Canyon Rd and SR 397, the sheriff’s office said.

“Anyone with information should contact Detective CJ. Connor at 509-735-6555 EXT 7201 or Det. Sgt. C. Trevino at 509-735-6555 EXT 7205.”

WILD: Police say 100 people chased moose in Pullman

NEW TWIST: Police: Lawyer Murdaugh arranged own death but shot grazed

Bateman Road was closed for several hours on Wednesday while detectives processed the scene. We’re working to bring you more updates on the investigation.

RECENT COVID-19 HEADLINES:

• COVID-19 cases climbing, wiping out months of progress
• Traveling clinic offers free vaccinations Wednesday in Pasco
• Central Washington State Fair addressing COVID concerns; opening Sept. 24
• Health dept. steps in to quell COVID-19 outbreak in Kittitas schools
• Idaho COVID-19 surge: Majority of hospitalizations, deaths are unvaccinated
• COVID-19, staffing issues force Providence to pause non-emergency surgeries

POLL: Do you think we’ll see another spike in Covid cases like last winter?

SPECIAL REPORT: 4 News Now to air special report ‘Inside the ICU’ Wednesday at 6 p.m.

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY YAKTRINEWS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.