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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Homicide victim ID’d; home searched

Investigators searched a home in north Spokane on Tuesday where they say a man found dead near Green Bluff lived. The body of Jesus J. Torres Valdovinos, 25, was dropped between Randall and Big Meadow roads Saturday night or Sunday morning, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives haven’t said how Valdovinos was killed. No arrests have been made, and detectives had no suspects during a search Tuesday at Valdovinos’ home at 623 E. Vicksburg Ave. Investigators recovered evidence from the home but did not elaborate. Neighbors described the area as quiet. None knew much about Valdovinos, who signed his name Jesus Torres on a 2006 Washington Department of Licensing signature released Monday by the Sheriff’s Office. Tyler Stephens, 16, said children often play in the cul-de-sac outside the home. “This whole neighborhood is filled with people who are nice,” Stephens said. The county medical examiner ruled Monday that Valdovinos was a homicide victim. His body, wrapped in blankets, was found by two women walking along Day-Mt. Spokane Road. Authorities initially believed Valdovinos lived in north-central Washington, but they learned overnight Monday that he was staying at a home at the home on East Vicksburg. The home searched Monday has been owned by Miguel A. Garcia since 2007, according to county property records. Reached by phone Monday, Garcia said he hadn’t heard of Valdovinos’ death. “Wow, that’s crazy,” he said. Garcia said he was renting the home to a man he thought was Valdovinos’ brother.