A troubling new video has emerged showing a man entering a squad car parked at a Southern California police station, where he was later found deceased.
Authorities have identified the individual as 37-year-old Eric Valencia. His body was discovered in the back seat of an out-of-service patrol vehicle, parked in front of the Azusa Police Department station in downtown Azusa, by a vehicle maintenance worker.
Security footage from the police station, released by Azusa police, captures the moment Valencia entered the unlocked, marked squad car parked right outside the department’s headquarters around midday last Monday.
Valencia was not seen again until three days later, when a cleaner hired by the department found his lifeless body in the still-parked vehicle.
The cause of Valencia’s death remains undetermined at this time.
Chief of Police Rocky Wenrick stated that the department is conducting an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding Valencia’s death, the reason the car was left unlocked, and why no one noticed him in the vehicle despite its location in front of the police station for several days.
“We will continue to follow the facts wherever it takes us,” Wenrick said at a press conference given at the police station Monday to discuss the case.
Asuza police arrested Valencia on March 20 on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment, and released him from custody three days later, on last Monday, just moments before he entered the squad car, said Wenrick.
Valencia had no signs of trauma to his body at the time of his arrest and had been regularly checked on by police while in custody, according to Wenrick. Police provided Valencia with extra food upon his release, said Wenrick.
Valencia’s family reported him missing just hours before his body was discovered, said Wenrick.
Video released by Azusa police Monday shows Valencia talking and moving normally as exited the police station and walked onto the sidewalk in front of the station. He passes a pair of squad cars before doubling back and letting himself into one in the video.
Wenrick said the vehicle was awaiting maintenance, which is a common practice as patrol units are regularly cycled in and out of service and new vehicles await equipment installation.
“It should have been secured,” said Wenrick.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine Valencia’s cause of death, which remained unknown Monday.
Wenrick said Valencia had a working cell phone with him when he entered the squad car. He said a preliminary test showed Valencia’s blood alcohol level was at twice the legal limit at the time of his arrest.
The Azusa Police Department retained an outside investigative firm to conduct an independent investigation into the entire incident, Wenrick said, including determining why the vehicle was not locked.
Wenrick did not answer questions on the incident, citing an ongoing investigation. He would not say if any officers would be disciplined over the matter.
Members of Valencia’s family gathered in front of the police station on Monday with a shrine to their dead relative placed near the parking spot where his body was discovered.
Carlos Velasquez, a cousin of Valencia’s, said the dead man was a father of two who lived not far from the police station. He was in good spirits and strong health before he died, said Velasquez.
Valencia’s family is shocked and heartbroken by his passing, said Velasquez, and they want police to tell them how he ended up dead in a squad car parked right in front of the police station.
“We want answers,” said Velasquez. “We didn’t hear from him at all.”
