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Missing San Jose Biker Found Slain In Santa Cruz Mountains

SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) - A hiker in Santa Cruz County found the body of a 32-year-old San Jose man who went missing last month and an autopsy has deemed his death a homicide, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

The deceased man was identified as Eric Dean Garcia, 32, also known as "Pee-Ka".

The hiker reported finding Garcia's decomposing body near Mt. Bashe in the Summit area of Santa Cruz County, according to sheriff's deputies.

Garcia was last seen at 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 18 near Vine and Goodyear streets in San Jose, according to San Jose police.

Police said Garcia was at a party nearby and Goodyear streets in San Jose, according to San Jose police.

Harley
The Harley Davidson motorcycle still missing following the discovery of the body of Eric Garcia. (San Jose Police Dept.)

Police said Garcia was at a party nearby when he received a phone call and told his friends he would be right back. He then took off on his motorcycle, a black 1985 FLT-model Harley Davidson, and didn't return.

He was reported missing on Sept. 20, according to San Jose police.

Garcia's motorcycle, with the license plate 18W5272, remains missing, deputies said.

Prior to locating the body, San Jose police Officer Albert Morales said that police did not suspect foul play.

Christina Johnson, Garcia's sister-in-law, said that Garcia "has some known affiliations" with motorcycle clubs.

"He's a very social person. He's always on his phone. He's always talking to people. He's got friends and family literally everywhere," Johnson said.

Garcia was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing 350 pounds. He had a Harley Davidson symbol tattooed on the back of his head, police said.

A candlelight vigil was held for Garcia on Oct. 7 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in San Jose.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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