CONCORD, Calif. (KRON) – A body was found near Highway-4 on Saturday afternoon, and police believe that it is a 19-year-old man who went missing on New Year’s Day, the Concord Police Department says.
On Saturday evening, CPD announced that the department believes the body found near Hwy-4 is that of 19-year-old Damond Lazenby Jr. Police say Lazenby’s family was passing out information Saturday afternoon when his lifeless body was found.
Lazenby’s family tells KRON4 that they received a “random call” from someone who told them the exact location of his body. The family contacted California Highway Patrol, and CPD later responded to the scene as well.
Lazenby’s family members say that the circumstances surrounding his body feel suspicious. Lazenby was found in clothes that were clean and dry. “The weather has been pretty bad, horrible. So if he was there the entire seven days, his clothes would have showed that,” one family member said.
Lazenby’s family says he was a typical teenager who spent time working and playing video games. Family describes him as a happy-go-lucky guy, who joked all the time and was a bit of a prankster.
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Lazenby’s family believe his body may have been dumped on Hwy-4 sometime early Saturday. CPD says that Lazenby’s remains were found in an area that had already been searched earlier in the week, and investigators do not have a conclusive cause of death. The investigation into Lazenby’s death will continue with CHP, CPD and the local coroner’s office.
“We send our condolences to the Lazenby family during this difficult time,” CPD said in the statement.
This is a developing story. Please stick with KRON for updates.
