Officials found remains after man who died in Kenwood standoff had confessed to killing

A Santa Rosa resident missing since late March was identified as the man found dead in Napa County after the suspect in a 19-hour standoff in Kenwood confessed to the killing and told authorities where to find the body.

Napa County sheriff's officials did not reveal what caused the death of Reynaldo Pacheco, 44, whose body was discovered Thursday near Lake Hennessey. Pacheco disappeared March 24 after leaving his home around 10 a.m.

Sheriff's officials said Miguel Garcia, who had been sought in connection with several felony charges before his death in Kenwood, is suspected of kidnapping and later killing Pacheco.

It was Garcia, sheriff's officials said, who alerted authorities to the body's location. As the lengthy standoff wore on, Garcia told hostage negotiators that he had committed a murder and other violent crimes. He then told authorities where to find the victim's remains, Sonoma County sheriff's officials said last week.

Pacheco's death is being investigated as a homicide, Napa County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Blower said. He declined to say what condition Pacheco's body was in or give any other information about his death, saying that the investigation is ongoing.

Authorities suspect Pacheco was kidnapped in Sonoma County and taken to Napa County, Blower said. He would not give additional details, saying he didn't want to "compromise the investigation."

Pacheco was last seen leaving his Santa Rosa home the morning of March 24, said Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Shannon McAlvain in an earlier interview. He was driving a black 2006 Range Rover. He was supposed to return in time to pick up his child from school by 3 p.m., McAlvain said. But he never returned.

At around 2:40 p.m., Pacheco called and asked a friend to pick up his child from school because he was unable to return in time, McAlvain said. Pacheco's family did not hear from him again and reported him missing shortly after he failed to return home, McAlvain said.

Video surveillance from a 7-Eleven store at 2906 First St. in Napa shows Pacheco's vehicle there at 2:30 p.m., shortly before he called his friend. His debit card was used at the store minutes earlier, McAlvain said.

Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin contributed to this report.