27-Year-Old Yucaipa Man Found Dead in Mentone Field North of Mill Creek

A 27-year-old Yucaipa man was found dead Sunday in a Mentone field east of Garnet Street and north of the Mill Creek wash, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Deputies from Yucaipa were notified at 7:04 p.m. Sept. 16 of a deceased person in the area of Newport Avenue east of Emerald Avenue in Mentone.

The deceased was identified as Nicholas Acosta, 27, of Yucaipa. The cause of his death was not disclosed.

Homicide detectives were called out. They were leading the investigation, according to the Sheriff's Department.

"There's nothing more to release at this point," Sgt. John Gaffney of the sheriff's Homicide Detail said Monday afternoon in a phone interview. Gaffney and Homicide Detective Mando Avila worked through the night on the case, Gaffney said.

"We haven't been home yet," Gaffney said just before 4 p.m. Monday.

The area of Newport Avenue where Acosta was found is "past the orange groves," Gaffney said. "It's an area where people party and dump trash."

Anyone with more info was urged to contact Gaffney or Avila at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).

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