San Jose police say body of missing homicide victim found in Santa Cruz County

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The body of 28-year-old Kyle Myrick was located at 4 p.m. Thursday. Acting on a tip, detectives found his body in the area of Jamison Creek Road, in a remote part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Clara County coroner confirms the body is that of Myrick.

A moving vigil was held Thursday night for Myrick and a lot of candles were left by family and friends in the front of a boarded up building that was part of the murder scene.

Just as Myrick's mother was leaving her house for the vigil, she learned her son's body had been found. The 28-year-old disappeared Friday.

The suspect in the killing is 39-year-old Steve Hlebo, Myrick's co-worker at GP Motorsports.

Police say Myrick was killed by Hlebo last Friday, after the two fought at work. The victim's family has searched nonstop since that night. They admit it is a bittersweet feeling knowing where Myrick is.

His mother, Kelly Sparry, said, "I just don't like thinking about what happened to him. When you hear how it took place in here, my body aches. I feel like my heart was ripped out because this crazy man just suddenly attacked my son."

Detectives say they found the victim's blood in a workplace storage shed and his severed ear. Blood was also found in Hlebo's truck. Investigators charged Hlebo with Myrick's murder, despite not knowing where the body was until now. Hlebo is being held without bail.

WATCH VIDEO: Evidence found in homicide case of GP Sports employee

Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Paul Hamblin or Detective Jason Tanner with the San Jose Police Department's homicide unit at (408) 277-5283.