SLT death called homicide

The death of a South Lake Tahoe man is being investigated as a homicide.

Police have identified the victim as Elijah "Joel" Deluna, a 23-year-old with residential ties to South Lake Tahoe and Carson City, police said.

He was living in South Lake Tahoe at the time of his death.

Deluna was reported dead to authorities Saturday night. South Lake Tahoe police haven't determined a cause or time of death yet. The initial report was a gunshot wound to the head.

At first, police called it a suspicious death because it took several hours for people to report the body after it was discovered.

Lt. Martin Hewlett said stolen cars were discovered near where Deluna's body was found in a unit at Blackwood Apartments at 3546 Spruce Ave.

The cars, about two or three of them, were reported stolen from Carson City, Hewlett said. He would not comment if a connection was found between Deluna's murder and the stolen cars.

Neighbors on Monday said the apartment received frequent visitors, with some knocking on adjacent doors, as if they were unsure which belonged to Deluna.

Hewlett said Deluna worked in construction, but authorities believed he was unemployed at the time of his death.

Contact reporter William Ferchland at wferchland@tahoedailytribune.com