NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man who authorities believe was murdered earlier this month.

A report from Capt. Quincy Cromer said the man, whose body was found in the Hulls Valley Road area near Covelo early on the morning of May 15, has been identified as Jorge M. Zavala Estrella, 30, from Vallecito, Calif.

Cromer said an autopsy was conducted on May 17, with the forensic pathologist providing a preliminary cause of death, concluding that Zavala Estrella had died of multiple gunshot wounds.

“The official cause and manner of death will not be finalized until all pathology reports and tests have been completed,” Cromer said.

When deputies located Zavala Estrella’s body, they found multiple firearms and expended cartridge casings nearby. They also followed a blood trail a quarter of a mile where they found a large marijuana grow with hoop houses and several camp trailers.

During the course of the investigation, deputies located two others with gunshot wounds, one at the emergency room in the hospital in Ukiah and another man on Hulls Valley Road who needed emergency care. Both are believed to have been injured during the same shooting incident in which Zavala Estrella was killed.

During this investigation, deputies uncovered evidence of illegal marijuana cultivation and sales under the control of a drug trafficking organization, Cromer said.

This incident is continuing to be investigated as a homicide and anyone with information is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.