Investigators determine San Juan Bautista Mayor committed suicide

Investigators have determined that San Juan Bautista Mayor’s cause of death was suicide.

Mayor Jim West was found with a gunshot wound at his workplace, at Graniterock on 2391 San Juan Highway on Dec. 6.

“An employee called our office after hearing a gunshot and finding Mr. West’s body,” said Capt. Eric Taylor.

The city of San Juan Bautista left this message for Mayor West on Facebook: “Mayor West was a long-time resident of San Benito County and recently made San Juan Bautista his home, where he turned his attention and tireless, never-ending spirit of community involvement to helping the citizens of the Mission City and the local community.”

“Jim was also the passionate representative of Granite Rock, a company he emphatically believed in, loved and epitomized wherever he went,” the post continued. “Jim leaves behind many great friends, colleagues and associates in our community, and his presence will be greatly missed. The City of San Juan Bautista wishes to extend its most heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends. You will be missed, Mr. Mayor.”

Others say he was a good man and a friend.

“He was a very pleasant man. Always had a smile on his face. Whenever I saw him, he said hello. He was very kind. Very uplifting, very happy,” said Maria Goularte, who works in San Juan Bautista.

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office said they will not be releasing further information on the suicide out of respect for the family.

“God bless him. That’s all you can say to the man. He did a good job, and I’m sure a lot of people are going to miss him,” said Mark Acosta, a San Juan Bautista resident.