Merced County, California — A missing DoorDash driver was found dead inside the trunk of a Tesla in July, and a three-month investigation has now led to a murder charge against a 39-year-old suspect, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Javier Becerril Jr., 42, of Hollister, was discovered dead inside a Tesla sedan on State Route 152 in Merced County on July 9. Investigators later determined that he had suffered a physical assault before his body was placed inside the vehicle, according to authorities.

The suspect, Manuel Salceda of Turlock, was arrested on October 11 after investigators followed multiple leads across several Northern California counties. He was subsequently arraigned on murder charges in Merced County Superior Court on October 20.

Missing DoorDash Driver Found Inside Tesla

Becerril’s family had reported him missing before authorities discovered his body inside the Tesla. What began as a missing-person search ultimately developed into a homicide investigation as officers examined the circumstances surrounding his death.

The vehicle was found along State Route 152 in Merced County on July 9. Investigators began working to establish what had happened to Becerril and identify the person or people responsible. During the early stages of the investigation, a CHP investigator described the circumstances as suspicious.

“There are circumstances that are suspicious, and that’s why we’re treating it as such,” the investigator said.

Authorities also examined the Tesla’s onboard computer system for potential data or video that could help them reconstruct events and identify whoever was involved.

Three-Month Investigation Leads to Suspect

The CHP’s Central Division Major Crimes Unit spent approximately three months investigating the killing.

According to the agency, detectives used surveillance footage, physical evidence and other investigative leads to identify Salceda as a suspect.

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Investigators also learned that Salceda may have operated under multiple identities in an effort to evade law enforcement. Authorities have not provided further details about the identities allegedly used or explained how each one figured into the investigation.

The evidence gathered over the course of the investigation helped detectives narrow their focus and coordinate efforts to locate the suspect. The case eventually led officers to begin tracking a vehicle believed to be carrying Salceda near Dublin, California, on October 11.

Search Across Northern California Ends in Arrest

Once investigators received information about the vehicle near Dublin, authorities followed leads across several Bay Area counties.

The search ultimately ended at a gas station on Road 8 near Interstate 5 in Woodland, where officers arrested Salceda without incident, according to the CHP.

The arrest marked a significant development in the investigation after months of efforts to determine who was responsible for Becerril’s death.

CHP Chief Damon Gilmore said the agency remained committed to pursuing violent offenders and working with other law enforcement agencies.

“As California’s state police, the CHP is committed to pursuing violent offenders and working with our law enforcement partners to bring those responsible to justice,” Gilmore said.

“Our detectives tracked the evidence across multiple counties to locate and arrest the suspect in Javier Becerril Jr.’s killing.”

Suspect Arraigned on Murder Charges

Salceda was arraigned on murder charges in Merced County Superior Court on October 20, according to the information provided by the CHP.

Investigators determined that Becerril had suffered a physical assault before his body was placed in the Tesla’s trunk. However, authorities have not publicly detailed the alleged motive or provided a complete account of the events leading to the killing.

The investigation involved multiple forms of evidence, including surveillance footage, physical evidence and an examination of the vehicle’s onboard computer system.

The arrest represents a major step in the case, but the allegations against Salceda remain subject to the criminal justice process. A murder charge is not a conviction, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Questions Remain About the Killing

Although investigators have identified a suspect and made an arrest, important details about Becerril’s death have not been publicly established in the information released so far.

Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, explained the precise circumstances of the alleged assault or confirmed what information, if any, was recovered from the Tesla’s onboard systems.

The case began with a family’s report that Becerril was missing and developed into a homicide investigation after his body was discovered in the vehicle.

The CHP’s investigation and the subsequent arrest have brought the case into the court system, where further proceedings may reveal additional details about what happened.

What are your thoughts on this case and the months-long investigation that led to an arrest? Share your views in the comments below.