Eight Years Later, Family of Murder Victim Pleads for Justice 

February 25, 2024 - Fresno County Sheriff’s Office officials report that the family of 39-year-old Vidal Zepeda (pictured) is asking the public to give detectives information they need to identify and arrest his killer.  A $5,000 cash reward is available in this case.

On Monday, February 22nd, 2016, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body being found in the California Aqueduct.  The specific area of the canal is between W. Clarkson Ave. and W. Elkhorn Ave., near the community of Three Rocks.  The FSO dive team reported to the scene to recover the body.  Homicide detectives also went to the scene to begin an investigation.

Detectives determined Vidal Zepeda of Gilroy, was last heard from by family at 3:00 pm on February 4th, 2016.  He was reported as a missing person to the Gilroy Police Department on February 6th.  Later on that day, after the report was made, law enforcement officers found Zepeda’s 2012 Ford Flex parked in a pistachio orchard near Highway 33 and W. Clarkson Ave. in Fresno County.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Fresno County Sheriff’s Detective Jose Diaz at (559) 600-8204 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $5,000 cash reward.  Reference case # 16-2948.

Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office