Sexual assault suspect dies in hospital after being attacked by group of people in Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. - A man who was seriously injured after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman near Emma Wood State Beach has died from his injuries. Police are now looking for the person or people who attacked him.

The sexual assault and the ensuing attack on the suspect happened around 6 p.m. on May 5 on California State Parks property near the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

A woman told police she was walking on the beach with her dog when she saw the suspect following her.

The woman's dog was let off its leash and ran away into a wooded area. As she went into the brush to find her dog, the man followed her into the brush and sexually assaulted her, the victim said.

The woman screamed and her attacker ran away. Several people in the nearby river bottom heard the commotion and came to see what was happening.

That group chased after the sexual assault suspect and began attacking him, police said. The suspect was severely injured and lost consciousness. He was then placed into a wagon and brought back to the bike path.

Police responded to the scene and found the sexual assault victim and her unconscious attacker.

The suspect was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. On Monday, the man died as a result of the beating.

He has been identified as 31-year-old Jose Mendez of Ventura.

Police are still investigating the incident with help from California State Parks.

The investigation is ongoing, but due to the man's death it is now being investigated as a homicide. Police will now try to identify the people who came to the woman's defense and caused her attacker's fatal injuries.

Anyone with information about the sexual assault or the homicide is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department.