SMC Sheriff's Office Seeks Help Finding Man's Killer

MONTARA, CA — With little information to go by in the death of a man who was found murdered in San Mateo County on Valentine's Day, sheriff's officials reached out to the public on Monday for help in the case. Law enforcement officials are hoping someone may have spotted the victim prior to his death, so they can piece together what may have happened and help provide justice and closure to the victim's family.

San Francisco resident Gilberto Martin Rodriguez, 53, was found around 1 a.m. Feb. 14 in the parking lot of Gray Whale Cove State Beach near Half Moon Bay, according to sheriff's and coroner's officials.

Not much is known about what went down prior to Rodriguez's death. However, based on the autopsy, officials determined he'd been shot sometime between 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Sheriff's officials tell Patch that a woman called authorities just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 14 to let them know that she spotted "what she thought might be a person down in the area." That's when police found the murder victim near the Tom Lantos/Devil’s Slide Tunnel.

"Anyone who may have been traveling in the area of Highway 1 between Montara and Pacifica
(northbound or southbound) between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on the evening of Tuesday
Feb. 13 is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office," sheriff's officials said in a news release.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office also released a photo of Rodriguez, seen above, in case it helps spark any memories of the night.

Officials said that if you saw or heard anything suspicious — no matter how slight it may have seemed — you should contact Det. Andy Hui at 1-650-363-4066. You can also leave an anonymous tip via 1-800-547-2700.

SEE PREVIOUS:

• Man's Body Found In Half Moon Bay, Murder Investigation Underway
• Man Found Dead Near Half Moon Bay Is Identified

— Image via San Mateo County Sheriff's Office on Twitter