SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — A decomposing body found inside a 55-gallon barrel that was floating in the San Diego Bay last month has been identified.
Chula Vista police say it was the remains of Omar Medina inside the barrel discovered Oct. 12.
When the barrel with a body inside was wheeled away from the Chula Vista Marina last month Medina's friends tried to stay to positive.
"The family just wants closure at this point, so we're praying it's not him and Omar's ok," the victim's friend Albert Molina said last month.
But Wednesday, Chula Vista police confirmed it was 28-year-old Medina - a music producer from Chula Vista - inside. He was last seen alive on Sept. 30 and his car was found the next day - but Medina was gone.
Then, on Oct. 12, the white barrel was spotted in the water about 200 yards from J Street Marina Park by a diver cleaning his boat. He called authorities who feared right away that this was homicide case.
"They smelled what they attributed to - or consistent with - something dead, decaying flesh," said Chula Vista Police Captain Eric Thunberg.
It's not clear how long the body was in the San Diego Bay, but evidence gathered at the scene makes it clear, whoever killed Medina didn't want his body found.
"It looks like it was tied to some concrete blocks or some cinder blocks and I don't know if it once was tethered to the bottom of the bay and broke free," said Capt. Thunberg.
The medical examiner's office has confirmed that Medina was killed, but they're not releasing how. Police say no arrests have been made, but their investigation is continuing and no additional details will be released at this time.
Medina's family recently held a funeral service for him but were too distraught to speak with News 8 on camera on Wednesday.
Medina's family asked for privacy. A GoFundMe page is raising funds for the family.
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