Homicide victim identified

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man whose body was found in Oroville last week.

Sheriff’s investigators say John Prater (pictured), 35, of Oroville, was found dead on Crystal Pines Road at about 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, after someone reported a “suspicious circumstance.”

Investigators said Prater appears to be the victim of a homicide due to the “suspicious nature of the death.” There were no other details released and the incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at 538-7671.