UPDATE: Pasco man ID’d as homicide victim found south of Kennewick

Investigators are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Pasco man found south of Kennewick as a suspected homicide.

Benton County Sheriff’s detectives have confirmed using a fingerprint comparison that Hector Cortez Ballardo was the person discovered at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s Commander Jon Schwarder.

A U.S. Postal worker discovered the body while doing her deliveries on Bofer Canyon and Bateman roads east of the Highway 395/Interstate 82.

The rural agricultural area is south of the intersection of Highway 397 and I-82.

Investigators have not said how he may have died.

Benton County coroner officials expect the autopsy will be next week.

Detectives had the road along the area closed for several hours Tuesday while they collected evidence.

Anyone who saw something suspicious in the area or with possible information on the death is asked to call Detective C. J. Conner at 509-735-6555, ext. 7201 or Detective Sgt. Carlos Trevino, ext. 7205.

This story was originally published September 15, 2021 at 11:52 AM.