UPDATE: John Street homicide victim identified

UPDATE: 8/25/17 2:29 P.M. Salinas Police have identified Wednesday’s homicide victim as 34-year-old Luis Rodolfo Santa Maria.

Santa Maria was homeless at the time of his death and frequently slept in the area. He was known to do odd jobs for the businesses in the area.

A motive is unknown.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Hispanic man was found dead at an apartment complex in Salinas.

Salinas Police said a call about a sick or injured man came in around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. When police arrived to the Budget Inn Motel on John Street, they found a 34-year-old man dead.

Detectives said based on the evidence at the scene the death is being investigated as a homicide.

The man was not a tenant at the motel but had slept on the property regularly with permission from management. It’s unclear what led to the 34-year-olds death. Investigators are not releasing the cause of death or any details at this time.

This marks the 22nd homicide in Salinas for 2017.