Sheriff’s Office identifies body found during search for kidnapped Pleasure Point man
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has identified a body found during a search for a kidnapped Pleasure Point man as the missing person, 50-year-old Tushar Atre.
Atre was kidnapped from his home at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday and was last seen leaving the area in a white 2008 BMW SUV. Later in the day, deputies found the BMW on the 24000 block of Soquel San Jose Road along with his body.
Turns out, Atre owns the property on Soquel San Jose Road, but it’s still unclear why he was taken there.
In addition to owning a marketing company for high tech business, Atre was also in the cannabis business. The city of Santa Cruz confirms he’s the owner of Interstitial Systems, which is a licensed cannabis manufacturer that operates out of a location on Fern street.
“We don’t know if that is connected to this murder quite yet,” SCCSO public information officer Ashey Keehn said.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing, but believes the motive was robbery. Atre’s body was found on land that he owned, according to law enforcement.
Wednesday, neighbors on Pleasure Point drive near Atre’s home are in shock from the whole situation.
“It’s scary on two levels. One that we know him and two how could something like that happen in our neighborhood. It’s just really confusing,” David Roberts said.
The Sheriff’s Office said it believes it is an isolated incident. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Ainsworth at 831-454-7635.
KION 2019
