Josue Salvador Pedraza Antunez, 28

Josue Salvador Pedraza Antunez, a 28-year-old Latino, was pronounced dead on Saturday, July 8, after his body was found near Frenchmans Flat Campground in the 38000 block of Golden State Highway in Castaic, according to authorities. 

Pedraza Antunez lived in Newhall, where he had worked washing dishes and washing cars, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina. 

He went to the campground that day with a couple of other people, Sgt. Domenick Recchia said. The day was hot, and Piru Creek, which runs near the campground, is a popular place for people to play, he said. 

What happened after he arrived is unclear, Corina said. Around 5:35 p.m., people walking along the creek discovered Pedraza Antunez’s body half-submerged in the water. When paramedics arrived, they discovered he had been stabbed multiple times, according to coroner’s records. 

Pedraza Antunez was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:20 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Coroner’s records say Pedraza Antunez was from San Jacinto, but investigators said he most recently was working in Newhall, a community about 23 miles south of the Frenchmans Flat Campground. 

A brief online obituary said he was born in La Huacana, Michoacan, Mexico, and had the nickname “Chavo.”

“He was very dear to all his friends and family,” the obituary said. The site said his funeral service was held in Newhall. 

Investigators don’t have a motive for the stabbing. They are still trying to locate the people who were with Pedraza Antunez the day he was killed, Corina said. 

“He was just a working guy,” Corina said, “and somehow he ended up stabbed to death.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.