Call To Police About Dead Brother Leads To Suspected Marijuana Grow

A man who called police to report he found his brother dead in their Good Hope home Wednesday morning has been cited on suspicion of marijuana possession.

John Rodriguez, 55, found his brother's body and called for help shortly before 7 a.m. Emergency personnel as well as deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station were dispatched to a residence in the 21500 block of Mountain Avenue. There deputies found the body of Roberto Rodriguez, 53, who shared the home with his older brother, according to a report from Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Ken Chaffin. 

"Also located inside the residence were approximately 20 marijuana plants and paraphernalia associated with the cultivation and sales of the same.  During further investigation, deputies also located approximately 12 pounds of processed marijuana in a nearby outbuilding," Chaffin reported. 

The two brothers resided alone at the home, according to the sergeant.

John Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales; he was released at the scene, Chaffin said.  

The death investigation is ongoing. A cause of death has not been determined at press time.