Police working 'strong lead' in murder of popular California priest

Rev. Eric Freed is seen in this undated photo.Saintbernards.org

Authorities in California are working a 'strong lead' in the murder of a popular Catholic priest whose body was found inside a church rectory on New Year's Day, a law enforcement source told FoxNews.com.

Detectives from the Eureka Police Department are poring over surveillance video a day after the Rev. Eric Freed was found murdered inside the rectory of the St. Bernard Church in Eureka. No suspects have been publicly identified, though sources close to the case say authorities are pursuing a 'very promising lead.'

Freed's body was discovered Wednesday morning after he failed to show up for the 9 a.m. Mass. Eureka Mayor Frank Jager told FoxNews.com that Freed's silver Nissan Ultima Hybrid is missing from the rectory. The California license plate number of the vehicle is 6NDW400, according to Jager, who said the community is in a state of mourning.

'Every once in a while, you meet one of those people who is truly wonderful - someone you'd like to clone and fill the world with,' Jager said. 'He was one of those people.'

The murder occurred sometime between Tuesday evening when parishioners left evening services and Wednesday morning. Eureka police Chief Andrew Mills would not say whether they were any signs of forced entry at the rectory.

Freed, who lived in Japan for more than 20 years, spoke several languages. In addition to serving as pastor, he taught religious studies at Humboldt State University, where he was also director of the campus Newman Center.

Freed joined St. Bernard's Parish as pastor in August 2011.

'He was a great speaker,' Jager said. 'People just loved listening to him.'

The mayor also confirmed that there was a report of unlawful entry at Sacred Heart Church, another church in Eureka, on New Year's Day. The intruder fled before police had a chance to respond, he said. It's unclear if that incident is related to Freed's murder.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4060.