BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield community is mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss of 47-year-old Jared Paul Mitchell, whose life was tragically cut short early Sunday morning, October 12, 2025. His body was discovered around 8:08 a.m. along the 7000 block of Camino Media in southwest Bakersfield, leaving family, friends, and neighbors devastated and searching for answers.
According to the Kern County Coroner’s Office, a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death. Preliminary evidence suggests that Jared may have been struck by a vehicle in what authorities believe could be a hit-and-run, though no witnesses or vehicles were found at the scene. The Bakersfield Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward, calling this a “deeply concerning and active investigation.”
A Life Remembered
Jared Paul Mitchell was far more than the circumstances of his passing — he was a son, brother, and friend whose heart and humor left a lasting imprint on everyone he met. Those who knew him describe Jared as kind, thoughtful, and endlessly giving — a man who found beauty in the simple things and who made life brighter for those around him.
He had an easy laugh, a quick wit, and a quiet strength that drew people in. Friends recall how he was always ready to listen, to help, or to share a smile. Whether through a kind word or a small act of generosity, Jared had a way of reminding others of the goodness in the world.
“Jared was the kind of person who made you feel like family,” one close friend shared. “He was genuine — always himself — and that’s what made him so loved.”
A Tragic Morning in Bakersfield
The peaceful calm of a Sunday morning was shattered when police received reports of a man lying in the roadway. Responding officers discovered Jared’s lifeless body, sparking what has since become one of the most heartbreaking investigations in recent memory.
Authorities believe that Jared may have been struck sometime in the early morning hours, and they continue to search for the driver responsible. Police have asked anyone who was in the area between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning to review any dashcam or surveillance footage that might provide answers.
A Community in Mourning
The news of Jared’s death has left Bakersfield reeling. Tributes have poured in across social media from friends and acquaintances who are struggling to comprehend the loss of someone so genuine and kind. Messages of grief and remembrance describe Jared as “a light in dark times,” “a true friend,” and “a beautiful soul gone too soon.”
Neighbors have begun leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes near the site where he was found — small tokens of love and remembrance for a man who touched so many hearts.
Forever in Our Hearts
As investigators continue to seek justice, Jared’s family and friends are left clinging to the memories that defined him — his laughter, his warmth, and his unwavering compassion. Though his passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot fill, his spirit lives on in the lives he touched and the love he gave so freely.
Rest in peace, Jared Paul Mitchell.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten — your kindness, your laughter, and your light will forever live in the hearts of all who knew and loved you.