Pleasant Hill Park employee found fatally stabbed in parking lot

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. – A woman discovered her husband had been fatally stabbed in the main parking lot of Pleasant Hill Park early Saturday morning, police said.  

At approximately 4:50 a.m., Pleasant Hill police and medical personnel responded to a report of a man lying unconscious and unresponsive in the parking lot of 147 Gregory Lane.   

Upon examining the victim, it was determined that he was deceased and had sustained stab wounds.   

Capt. Matt Kristic of Pleasant Hill Police Department said his investigators closed down the park and taped it off while investigators were searching for evidence.  

Police identified the victim as 37-year-old Santiago Jacobo of Pittsburg, a janitorial staff member who had been working at the park late the previous night. 

Jacobo was discovered by his wife, who grew worried when he failed to return home after his shift.   

She went to Pleasant Hill Park, where she discovered him unresponsive and called 911.   

The family of Jacobo is collaborating with police investigators. Kristic commented that he had spoken to the family of the victim. 

“They are distraught. It’s very sad and shocking for the family,” he said.

Some little league teams had practice canceled at the baseball field while the park was closed for the investigation. A neighbor named Dave was walking his dog through the park on Saturday at 11 a.m. after police had opened the park back up. 

He told KTVU he and his wife were shocked to hear the tragic news. 

“We were very surprised. We live across the street, we’re in this park every day, morning, and evening, walking dogs. I know a lot of the park and recreation staff here just from walking through the park. And they’re all, you know, very dedicated, very friendly,” said Dave.

The location where the incident occurred is Pleasant Hill’s largest park. It has amenities including two playground areas for toddlers and children, a dog run, bocce ball, a community swimming pool, soccer fields and baseball fields. 

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the case or disclosed any possible suspect details. Anyone with information about the fatal stabbing is asked to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.   

Bay City News contributed to this report.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.