Autopsy conducted in Mendocino County slaying

An autopsy was underway Tuesday on a Mendocino County man who Mendocino County sheriff’s officials say was shot by a friend, possibly during a property dispute.

Deputies arrested Michael Jay Saner, 58, of Navarro, on suspicion he killed the 55-year-old Navarro man during a shooting reported at 6:52 p.m. Sunday. Deputies know the victim’s name but haven’t released it yet as family members from out of the area haven’t been found, Mendocino County sheriff’s Lt. Shannon Barney said Tuesday.

What led to the violence remained under investigation but preliminary interviews indicate the two men may have been arguing recently regarding ownership of a car, Barney said.

The two were residents of a rural Navarro neighborhood called Rancho Navarro, which is off Highway 128. Sunday night deputies were called to a house on Sea Biscuit Drive, belonging to another resident. The victim was found in the yard.

Saner was identified as a suspect and deputies found him in his car on Comptche Ukiah Road, about eight miles from the crime scene, Barney said.

The lieutenant declined to say whether a weapon was found.

Barney asked witnesses or anyone with information to call detectives at 707-463-4411 or 707-463-4086.