Mendocino Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:

On 7-13-2012 at approximately 1941 the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office and Brooktrails Medical Personnel were dispatched to a possible assault victim’s location on Third Gate Road West of Brooktrails.

While responding to the location, emergency personnel came upon a pick-up truck alongside Sherwood Road, which was just east of Third Gate Road.

Emergency personnel and sheriffs deputies learned from the driver of the pickup that she had the assault victim and his girlfriend in the pick-up bed.  Emergency medical staff pronounced the decedent’s death at the scene.

Deputies contacted the victim’s girlfriend at the scene and she advised that she had located the victim at the family residence on Third Gate Road and observed him to be the victim of an assault.  She summoned help to drive the victim to the hospital.

Mendocino County Sheriffs Detectives responded to the scene and observed the victim to have injuries consistent with a physical assault.

Detectives then proceeded to the Third Gate Residence and located a crime scene in and around a cabin on the property.  Officers further observed a large scale marijuana operation taking place on the property.

Detectives are in the process of conducting further investigation into the murder of Mark Maples.

A forensic autopsy will be scheduled for early next week.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office at 707-463-4086.  Callers can remain anonymous.