NORTH COAST, Calif. – The cause of death for a Roseville businessman whose body was found in the ocean near Gualala last November has been classified “undetermined,” Mendocino County Sheriff's Officials said Tuesday.

Stephen Clark Pease, 57, the owner of several Sacramento-area businesses, was found in the ocean nearly a month after he was reported missing at the end of October, as Lake County News has reported.

The investigation into his disappearance revealed that he had checked out of a Fort Bragg area motel on Nov. 3. His body was found 20 days later, 50 to 60 miles from that hotel, authorities said.

Capt. Greg Van Patten reported that on Jan. 15 the Mendocino County chief deputy coroner classified Pease's death as being due to undetermined causes.

Van Patten said authorities have yet to locate the rental car Pease was driving, a silver 2014 Chevrolet Captiva with Oregon license plate 500GKN.