Woman Found Shot to Death in Pickup Near Covelo Identified

The woman found shot to death inside a pickup truck northwest of Covelo last week has been identified as 31-year-old Josepha Littlewolf Basurto, according to an update released Wednesday by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

An autopsy performed July 15 determined Basurto’s preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso and the manner of death was homicide, the Sheriff’s Office reported. The final cause and manner of death will not be released until the forensic pathologist completes all reports associated with the autopsy and coroner’s investigation.

Basurto’s family previously identified her through a GoFundMe campaign under the name Josepha Littlewolf Thunderheart Basurto. The fundraiser, organized by ShellyRose Minthorn, says Basurto was the daughter of Sharlisa Mountainlion Una Sam and that her family, who live in Utah, must travel to California to bury her.

The campaign says the family had no way to prepare for the costs of Basurto’s burial, travel, lodging and food. According to the fundraiser, Basurto is survived by children and a husband. Donations will also help provide school clothes and other necessities for her children and assist the family with travel expenses associated with future court proceedings in the homicide case.

The investigation began after the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 8:58 p.m. on July 9 from a woman who reported finding her family member dead inside a vehicle in the 22000 block of Rifle Range Road northwest of Covelo.

Deputies arrived approximately 15 minutes later and found Basurto inside a silver 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup. She was confirmed dead at approximately 9:17 p.m.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed numerous apparent gunshots into the Toyota. Authorities initially reported that Basurto appeared to have suffered numerous gunshot wounds. Wednesday’s update specifies that the preliminary cause of death determined at autopsy was a gunshot wound to the torso.

The Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle and Basurto were found at what authorities described as a large illicit marijuana cultivation operation, which was also investigated by responding law enforcement personnel.

Investigators learned that Basurto’s family members had been searching for her for several hours on July 9 before receiving information that she might be at the Rifle Range Road property. A family member went to the property, found Basurto and called law enforcement, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau is leading the homicide investigation with assistance from the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office and the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team. Criminalists from the California Department of Justice in Eureka also responded to process the crime scene for evidence.

Investigators have said they believe numerous suspects were involved in the homicide, but information about those suspects is being withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information related to Basurto’s death is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (707) 463-4086, option 1. Anonymous information can be provided through the non-emergency tip line at (707) 234-2100.

To learn more or to donate to Josepha’s family during this difficult time, click here.

Earlier: 

• Woman Found Dead in Vehicle at a Residence Between Spyrock and Covelo
• Homicide Confirmed Near Covelo, DOJ Criminalists Called to Scene
• 31-Year-Old Woman Found Fatally Shot Inside Truck at Illegal Marijuana Grow Near Covelo