Video shows Eric Valencia get into police squad car where he was later found dead

A newly released video reveals a man entering a police car outside a Southern California station, later found deceased inside.

Identified as 37-year-old Eric Valencia, his body was discovered in the rear seat of an out-of-service patrol car parked at the Azusa Police Department in downtown Azusa. The discovery was made by a vehicle maintenance worker.

Security footage released by Azusa police captures Valencia entering an unlocked, marked squad car parked directly in front of the station around lunchtime last Monday. This was the last sighting of Valencia until three days later when his body was found by a cleaner hired by the department, who discovered him in the untouched vehicle.

The cause of his death remains unknown.

Chief of Police Rocky Wenrick stated that the department is probing the circumstances of Valencia’s entry into the car, why it was left unlocked, and how he went unnoticed despite the car being parked in front of the station for days. “We will continue to follow the facts wherever it takes us,” Wenrick commented during a press conference on Monday.

According to Wenrick, Valencia had been arrested by Azusa police on March 20 for suspected DUI and child endangerment. He was released from custody three days later, shortly before entering the squad car. At the time of his arrest, there were no signs of trauma on Valencia’s body, and he was frequently checked on while in custody. Police also provided him with additional food upon his release.

His family reported him missing just hours before his body was found.

Footage released by Azusa police shows Valencia leaving the police station and walking onto the sidewalk. He initially passes two squad cars before returning and entering one.

Wenrick explained that the vehicle was due for maintenance, a routine practice as patrol units are cycled in and out of service. “It should have been secured,” he said.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine Valencia’s cause of death, which was still undetermined on Monday. Wenrick noted that Valencia had a functional cell phone when he entered the squad car and that his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of arrest.

The Azusa Police Department has commissioned an external investigative firm to conduct an independent investigation into the incident, including why the vehicle was not locked. Wenrick did not field questions about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation, and he declined to say whether any officers would face disciplinary action.

On Monday, Valencia’s family gathered outside the police station, placing a shrine near where his body was found. Carlos Velasquez, Valencia’s cousin, said he was a father of two and lived nearby. Velasquez described Valencia as being in good spirits and strong health before his death. The family is devastated and demands answers as to how he ended up dead in a police car parked outside the station. “We want answers,” Velasquez stated. “We didn’t hear from him at all.”

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