San Diego County Sheriff's Department: Homicide Investigation - Borrego Springs

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

08/09/2021 3:58 PM

LOCATION:       800 Block of Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs

DECEASED:        Martin Joel Baker, 49-years-old

SUSPECT:           Eugene Carl Focarelli, 37-years-old

On February 18, 2021, Sheriff's deputies responded to Di Giorgio Road and Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs for a report of a battery. Deputies found forty-nine-year-old Martin Baker on the side of the road suffering from head trauma. Baker was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. Deputies investigated the assault and, later the same day, arrested thirty-seven-year-old Eugene Carl Focarelli for 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon, not a firearm.

On February 22, 2021, Baker's condition declined, and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Baker is a resident of Borrego Springs. His family was notified of his death.

On February 23, 2021, the Medical Examiner's Office conducted the autopsy of Martin Baker but required additional investigation before determining a preliminary cause and manner of death.

On June 30, 2021, the Medical Examiner's Office preliminary determined the cause of Baker's death was complications from blunt force trauma and the manner of his death was homicide.

On July 14, 2021, the San Diego District Attorney's Office charged Focarelli with 187(a) PC – Murder. Focarelli was already in the custody of the Sheriff's Department for the assault on Baker and other unrelated charges. Focarelli is currently in custody awaiting court proceedings with no bail.

On August 4, 2021, the Medical Examiner's Office notified the Sheriff's Department of their official findings. The cause of Baker's death was complications from blunt force trauma and the manner of his death is homicide.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office will be the point of contact for any media questions.   

Prepared by:  Thomas Seiver, Lieutenant

Sheriff's Homicide Unit   (858) 285- 6330

This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.