The public is shocked by the discovery of the body of a missing man

About a week and a half after Todd Joseph Pinion was last seen in Atascadero.His body was found over the weekend in a remote area near Tassajara Creek.

Atascadero police made an arrest in the killing of a 34-year-old man but did not say what led them to identify the suspect or how they found Piñon, but said they did so after the initial investigation into his disappearance raised concerns.

Many people who knew him were shocked to hear the news.

“He was one of my best people,” said Gary Eberle, who worked for Pinion at Eberle Winery. “I mean he was a real person.”

Piñon left the winery in 2021 and has not been heard from since, Eberle said.

“I’m just amazed,” Eberle said. – I’m stunned. When we found out about this yesterday, we thought: what? It just didn’t make sense.”

George Sullivan lives near where Pinion’s body was found.

“This is a remote part of the county,” Sullivan said. “Everything here is private property. There is usually no business here unless you live here.

Tyler Stevens of Paso Robles was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail early Sunday morning on suspicion of killing Piñon.

Court records show Stevens has been in trouble with the law before. He reportedly had no objection to evading a police officer and assaulting a peace officer or firefighter after incident in San Luis Obispo in December 2022.

Members of Pinion’s family have been contacted for comment for this story but are unwilling to speak at this time.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.