(NewsNation) — Authorities in California say they are investigating after a man was found dead in the back of a parked police car last week.
Eric Valencia, 37, was arrested on March 23 on suspicion of driving under the influence but was later released due to lack of evidence. Valencia’s family filed a missing persons report after they couldn’t locate him following his release.
The Azusa Police Department said Valencia walked out of the station and got into the backseat of an unlocked police vehicle parked out front. The department has not said whether surveillance cameras captured Valencia leaving the building or entering the vehicle.
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“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,” the Azusa Police Department said in a statement.
“It is not uncommon for vehicles to be out of service and parked for days and/or weeks at a time, as we have a large fleet of emergency vehicles. The vehicle had been left unlocked, and it should have been secured.”
Azusa police officials acknowledged that DUI suspects are not released until they are sober. If they show any signs of medical distress, they are transported to a hospital.
Valencia’s cause of death remains unknown. An autopsy has not yet been performed.
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