KTLA News

March 31, 2009

ANAHEIM -- A 19-year-old man who had been living and working in Orange County has been found murdered near a Tijuana beach, officials said.

Officials at the U.S. Consulate in Mexico identified the victim Monday as Shane Pennington of North Carolina.

Pennington's body was found last Tuesday with stab wounds to the head, neck, back and chest. He had no identification on him, and the knife was reportedly still lodged in his chest when authorities discovered his body.

Pennington had worked as a delivery driver for "A Cut Above Beef & Seafood" in Anaheim.

Authorities are trying to find his delivery truck, which he was allowed to take home with him last week.

It was not immediately known whether he drove the truck across the border, or whether he made the trip alone.

A Mexican newspaper recently ran a story on Pennington's death, showing a graphic picture of his lifeless body.

Authorities are trying to determine who killed him.

Those who worked with Pennington say he was a hard-working and responsible person who had been saving his money to go to college. His mother said "he was going to live life to the fullest and no matter where he went, he made a friend."

Police in San Diego are working with Mexican authorities in the investigation.

The U.S. Government sent out a warning earlier this month against spring break and other travel to the Mexican border, specifically Tijuana, because of recent deadly drug violence.

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