The Oakland Police Department (OPD) has identified the body of a man found in a suitcase floating in Lake Merritt, a popular urban lake in Oakland, California.
On the morning of October 31, 2023, volunteers cleaning the lake made a macabre discovery near the 1900 block of Lakeshore Avenue. They found a suitcase floating in the lake, which, upon inspection, was revealed to contain the body of 23-year-old Gabriel Gomez Raymundo. The body was reportedly positioned in a fetal pose inside the suitcase and covered in a dark sheet. This disturbing finding led to the immediate involvement of law enforcement.
Upon arrival, Oakland police confirmed Raymundo’s death and began a homicide investigation. Details about the state of the body and the nature of various “visible” injuries have not been disclosed by the authorities. The OPD’s Homicide Section has taken over the investigation, treating the death as suspicious and potentially criminal.
Gomez Raymundo was from Guatemala and had been living in the United States for about eight years. He may have been homeless.
In a concerted effort to unravel the circumstances of Raymundo’s death, the Oakland Police Department has issued a public appeal for information. They are interested in learning more about Raymundo’s life, including his place of residence, employment, and social connections. They hope that insights into his personal and professional life might shed light on the events leading up to his death.
To encourage public cooperation, the OPD has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. This incentive is part of a broader strategy to engage the community in solving the case. The police have set up a dedicated tip line and are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
