Homicide victim found hidden in north Modesto garage

Acting on an anonymous tip, Modesto police discovered a homicide victim who was being “stored” in the garage of a home on Coffee Road, authorities said.

Detectives, patrol officers and specialized units surrounded the triplex in the 3100 block of Coffee on Tuesday afternoon, ordering the occupants to come out with their hands up.

Officers detained a half-dozen people and searched the home and garage. They found the body hidden in a detached garage, said Modesto police spokeswoman Heather Graves.

The victim was identified Wednesday as 53-year-old Kenneth Sedra Jr. He died of at least one gunshot wound, Graves said.

Evidence at the scene indicates the homicide occurred inside the garage sometime prior to Tuesday, Graves said. Detectives are awaiting a coroner’s report to help determine when Sedra was killed. He had not been reported missing, she said.

Three of the people detained at the scene were arrested but none were charged with the homicide.

Scott Vieira, 23, was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating his parole; Yourry Wallace, 39, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and probation violation; and Jeffrey Vigil, 27, had a warrant for his arrest.

All of the men live in Modesto but only Vieira lives at the Coffee Road home. Sedra was from Modesto but did not live in the home on Coffee, Graves said.

Detectives are pursuing leads, investigating possible motives and working to identify a suspect, Graves said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters also can text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637; type “TIP704” along with the message.

This story was originally published June 17, 2015 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Homicide victim found hidden in north Modesto garage."