The family of 37-year-old Eric Valencia is seeking answers from the Azusa Police Department after his body was found inside a parked police car last week. Valencia had been arrested on March 23 on suspicion of driving under the influence but was released shortly after due to a lack of evidence.
Just days later, his body was discovered in the backseat of an out-of-service police vehicle parked in front of the Azusa police station.
Timeline of Events
- March 23: Valencia was arrested on suspicion of DUI. However, due to insufficient evidence, he was released.
- March 26: Three days after his release, Valencia’s family filed a missing persons report. His body was found in a police car in front of the station, with the car left unsecured.
Family’s Reaction
Valencia’s family has expressed confusion and anger over the circumstances surrounding his death. “We don’t know what took place here,” one family member said. “He was pronounced deceased here, you know, in front of the police station. Doesn’t make any sense to any of us.”
Mabel Torres, a close friend of Valencia’s family, described him as a “kind-hearted man” and expressed her hopes for justice, writing on Facebook, “May justice be served, I will pray hard for everything to come to light because you didn’t deserve to go out this way.”
Valencia’s cousin, Andrea, also called for accountability, asking for prayers and justice in another emotional post on social media.
Investigation and Police Response
Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick confirmed the discovery of Valencia’s body and stated that the patrol car “should have been secured.” The exact cause of death remains unknown, and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has yet to conduct an autopsy.
In response to the incident, an independent firm has been hired to conduct an investigation into the matter, specifically to determine why the police vehicle was not locked. The Azusa Police Department is also conducting its own criminal investigation.
Questions Still Remain
The circumstances surrounding how Valencia entered the vehicle and the timeline of events leading up to his death remain unclear. His family and the public are demanding transparency and answers to understand the sequence of events that led to his tragic death.
