The Kern County Sheriff’s office has launched a homicide investigation after finding a body in an almond orchard north of Lamont.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt says they were called to Muller and South Vineland roads at around 11 a.m. Friday.

“Deputies learned that a farm laborer working in the area had located the body and had reported finding the body,” he said.

Pruitt says the man had signs of trauma, but wouldn’t say anything further. His name hasn’t been released by the coroner’s office.

– Anthony Pollreisz