Authorities are investigating Michael Fausnaugh's death as a homicide. Photo courtesy of Lake County Sheriff's Office.

LAKEPORT – Sheriff Rod Mitchell said this afternoon that the death of a man whose body was found along Highway 29 Thursday is being investigated as a homicide.

The body of Michael Eugene Fausnaugh, 38, of Nice was reported to officials at 1:25 p.m. Thursday afternoon by a motorist who saw Fausnaugh lying near Bridge Arbor South, off Highway 29 in north Lakeport.

Deputies arriving on scene found Fausnaugh's body on the west side of the highway south of Tule Lake Road, said Mitchell.

Mitchell said Fausnaugh had head injuries that he termed “suspicious in nature.”

Traffic along a portion of Highway 29 near Mockingbird Lane and Bridge Arbor South was rerouted onto the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff between 2:29 p.m. and 6:42 p.m. while sheriff's deputies investigated the scene, Mitchell said.

That Fausnaugh was murdered “is being explored as a possibility,” said Mitchell.

It's unclear how long his body was in the area, said Mitchell, and whether or not he died there or was dumped.

As to the nature of Fausnaugh's head injuries, Mitchell said it's too early to tell if it was blunt force or a bullet wound. The autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Santa Rosa, he added.

Fausnaugh, who reportedly worked as a landscaper, was known to authorities, said Mitchell. “We did have prior contacts with him.”

Mitchell reported Fausnaugh was arrested numerous times – possibly as many as two dozen – between April of 1994 and the present for charges including public intoxication and driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Th is unfortunate, it really is,” said Mitchell.

Anyone with information relating to Fausnaugh's death is urged to contact LCSO Det. Brian Kenner at 262-4223.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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