Dumped body ID’d, suspect in custody

A report of illegal dumping late Friday night on Sonoma Plaza turned into a murder investigation when a dead male body was found stuffed into a plastic barrel covered with a tarp.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Ronald Gordon Sauvageau, 64.

Working from leads at the scene, deputies and detectives went to the Acacia Grove Mobile Home Park on Highway 12 in the Springs. At a residence within the mobile home park, Deputies established the location where the man was killed.

Two men were detained in connection with the homicide. They were interviewed by detectives and one was subsequently arrested.

Christopher McNatt, 40, of Sonoma, was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for murder. McNatt is being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.

The weapon used during this crime has been recovered, Sergeant Cecile Focha said in a statement. “Rest assured there is no danger to the public,” she said.

The initial call, about a discarded a barrel and couch cushion in front of City Hall, came in at 11:48 p.m. on March 20. Deputies from the Sonoma Police Department arrived on scene and found the plastic barrel, with dried blood on the outside.

Deputies from the Sonoma Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office immediately cordoned-off the area and summoned detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes and Crimes Scene Investigations Units.

Because this is an open and on-going case, details are limited at this point, Focha said.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is encouraged to call our Tip Line at 707-565-2185. You can leave a message anytime and remain anonymous.