Ecker's father-in-law received the good news shortly before 5 a.m. from family members in Indio that Ecker was found. They said Ecker is in OK condition, though he was cold since he was just wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.
He said sheriff's authorities told him they were investigating reports of a homeless man in the Whitewater area. That man turned out to be Ecker.
The circumstances behind his disappearance remain under investigation.
Relatives believe Ecker was kidnapped from his home in the 600 block of East Old Second Street Monday morning.
Investigators say Ecker and his father run a concrete contracting business. His father called Ecker's wife when he didn't show up for work Monday morning.
That's when Ecker's wife discovered that her home had been ransacked. The front door was open and items from their home were strewn about in the front yard - including her husband's jacket and his truck's GPS system.
Ecker and his 2013 white GMC utility truck were nowhere to be seen, and his wife also found that her car, which was parked in the driveway, was damaged in the rear.
Ecker's wife also said her purse was stolen during the incident, and her credit card was used twice and declined once.
If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact the San Jacinto Police Department at (951) 654-2702.
