Investigation underway after body found in Coachella

A death investigation is underway after a body was found in Coachella Wednesday morning.

The body was found in the area of Avenue 49 and Calle Abelia at approximately 8:19 a.m. The entrance to the Rancho Las Flores community is taped off with crime tape.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department identified the person whose body was found as Leonard Garcia, 31, of Coachella. 

Investigators from the Thermal Sheriff Station and the Central Homicide Unit were called to investigate.

There were no further details released, but the department confirmed in a news release that this is considered a "suspicious death."

The investigation remains ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

Avenue 49 from Van Buren to Frederick was closed for several hours. Roads were back open by 4 p.m.

The Sheriff's Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Thermal Station Investigator Hammond at (760) 863-8990 or Central Homicide Investigator Alfaro at (951) 955-2777.

This is the third body found in the east valley over the past few days. The two other were eventually ruled a homicide.

The two other bodies were found in the community of Thermal. The first, on Saturday, was a male found in a burning vehicle that was ruled a homicide.

The other body was found on Tuesday near Avenue 78 and Fillmore Street. The Sheriff's Department confirmed on Wednesday that this is also believed to be a homicide victim.

The department did not disclosed whether investigators believe these incidents could be linked.