DA warns of more victims after SJ man allegedly confessed to 2 murders; bodies found near river

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office says there could be more victims after a shocking confession in which a man allegedly admitted to killing two people, leading police to two bodies near the Guadalupe River in San Jose.

"We're still in the very early stages. I would not be shocked if there were additional victims," Deputy District Attorney Michael Gadeberg said.

According to police, the suspect flagged down a patrol officer Saturday and said he had killed someone. Investigators later said the man told them about a second victim. Authorities said the suspect then led officers to both bodies near the Guadalupe River.

The suspect was expected to be arraigned Wednesday but refused to appear in court. It remains unclear when he will make his next court appearance.

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The District Attorney's Office said the suspect knew the first victim, while the second killing appears to have been random.

Authorities are still working to identify the two victims. However, some community advocates, including homeless advocate Shaunn Cartwright, believe the victims were likely unhoused individuals.

"It doesn't shock me. It's sort of like a wow, but it's not like an oh my god," she said.

Legal analyst Steven Clark said investigators must continue building evidence regardless of the suspect's alleged statements.

"It's very important for the detectives not to get complacent because they have this confession," Clark said.

He said prosecutors will need to establish forensic links between the suspect and the killings.

"Not just that he knows about them, but is his DNA evidence located there? Can they tie him forensically, not just through the statements he made," said Clark.

Cartwright said news of the killings is likely to heighten concerns within the unhoused community.

"You're always fighting to find food and water and to save your spot and hopefully not get swept. And now you add in, is something going on? Are we safe?" said Cartwright.

Gadeberg described the case as unlike others he has prosecuted.

"I've never seen anything like this," he said. "I've worked on spree killing cases. I've worked on double homicides. I've never seen anything like this where there's just no apparent motive, where someone just has this compulsion to kill."