Man Found Dead In Cop Car Outside Police Station Remains A Mystery

AZUSA, CA — Authorities released new information Monday about how a man came to be found dead in an out-of-service law enforcement vehicle at the Azusa police station, according to reports.

Eric Valencia, 37, entered the patrol SUV on March 23 after being released from jail following a March 20 arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment, KTLA reported, citing security footage. Valencia never called 911, even though he had a working cellphone in the SUV, according to the outlet.

It wasn’t until roughly 5 a.m. Thursday — three days after he entered the vehicle, which was parked in front of the station — that he was discovered unresponsive inside, police have said.

“Azusa Police personnel were not aware that the individual had entered the vehicle, and he was not in the custody of the Azusa Police Department at the time he gained access,” Chief of Police Rocky Wenrick said in a community message Friday.

The vehicle was awaiting maintenance and had been left unlocked, according to Wenrick, who noted it should have been secured.

Valencia’s body was not visibly seriously injured, according to KTLA, which reported that no Azusa officers are on leave in connection with the case, although Valencia’s family is demanding answers.

“He’s a good person and didn’t deserve to go like this,” his sister-in-law, Julia McCormick, told KTLA. “ We want answers and justice for him.”

Valencia lived less than a mile from the police station and had no known medical conditions, according to KABC.

Azusa police are investigating the incident and have also retained an outside investigative firm, the JL Group, authorities said, adding the county medical examiner’s department will determine the circumstances, manner and cause of death. The Justice System Integrity Division of the district attorney’s office was also notified and is receiving full access to evidence, security footage and investigative reports, according to police.