Coalinga man found dead had been reported missing Aug. 15

The man found dead near Coalinga has been identified as John Bertsche, 43, of Coalinga, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

Bertsche had been reported missing by his wife and was last seen on Aug. 15. A Coalinga police officer spotted Bertsche’s vehicle near Elm and Firestone avenues at the southwest end of the city and his body was found Thursday after a search of the hills and fields.

The terrain was too rugged for authorities to carry the body out, so a California Highway Patrol helicopter was called in to assist.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating his death.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Coalinga man found dead had been reported missing Aug. 15."