Oakland, California – The Oakland Police Department has identified the victim whose lifeless body was discovered inside a suitcase floating on Lake Merritt last month. The grim finding, initially made by volunteers from the Lake Merritt Institute, has now led authorities to a homicide investigation.

On October 31, just before 11 a.m., officers responded to the 1900 block of Lakeshore Avenue following a report of a deceased body. The volunteers, engaged in cleaning around the area, stumbled upon the suitcase but faced challenges in lifting it due to its weight. After persistent efforts, they managed to unzip the suitcase and were confronted with the shocking sight of a body, seemingly contorted in a fetal position, as reported by KTVU-TV.

Police have confirmed the victim’s identity as 23-year-old Gabriel Raymundo. The circumstances surrounding Raymundo’s death remain under scrutiny, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could aid the investigation. The case is being treated as a homicide.

In a public statement on Wednesday, November 15, the Oakland Police Department announced a reward of up to $10,000 for any tips that lead to an arrest in connection with this disturbing case. Investigators are urging individuals with knowledge of the victim or the events leading to his tragic demise to come forward.

As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the unsettling discovery in one of its prominent locations. The police are committed to bringing justice to Gabriel Raymundo and his grieving loved ones, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration in solving such heinous crimes.