Drum Dumped at Sonoma City Hall Contained Body, One Arrested for Murder
SANTA ROSA – According to a Community Bulletin posted by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, the Sonoma Police Department received a call just before midnight Friday, March 20, regarding illegal dumping. The caller said that just 15 minutes prior to the call, a 55-gallon drum and a couch cushion were dumped in front of the Sonoma City Hall.
Sonoma Police Department Deputies found the plastic drum covered with a blue plastic tarp and dried blood on the outside of the barrel. Further inspection of the drum uncovered a deceased adult male inside.
The area was immediately cordoned-off and Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes and Crimes Scene Investigations Units were summoned. The Detective Coroner from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office also responded and took custody of the deceased.
The investigation led detectives to the Acacia Grove Mobile Home Park.
Unspecified leads brought Deputies and Detectives to the Acacia Grove Mobile Home Park on Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley. The Detectives established the location and residence where the man was killed. Two men were detained in connection with the homicide and were interviewed by Detectives, and one of them was arrested.
Suspect Christopher McNatt – Photo CA DMV
Christopher McNatt, a 40-year-old man from Sonoma, was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for murder. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, March 24 at 1:30 pm. The bulletin advises that there is no danger to the public and that the weapon used in the crime has been recovered.
The victim was later identified by the Sonoma County Coroner as 64-year-old Robert Gordon Sauvageau of Cazadero. His family was notified of his death. An autopsy will be performed tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death.
