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

Disturbing new footage has emerged showing the moment a man climbed into a squad car parked at a Southern California police station, where he was later found dead. The man, identified as 37-year-old Eric Valencia, was discovered in the back seat of an out-of-service patrol vehicle parked in front of the Azusa Police Department station.

Security camera footage from the police station shows Valencia getting into a marked and unlocked squad car parked directly in front of the department’s headquarters around lunchtime last Monday. The vehicle maintenance worker found his body three days later, sparking an investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

Chief of Police Rocky Wenrick stated that the department is looking into why the car was left unlocked and how Valencia went unnoticed inside the vehicle despite it being parked in front of the police station all week. Valencia had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment on March 20 and was released from custody just moments before entering the squad car.

Valencia’s family reported him missing just hours before his body was discovered. Video released by Azusa police shows Valencia behaving normally as he exited the police station and eventually entered the squad car. The cause of his death remains unknown, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to his demise.

Wenrick mentioned that Valencia had a working cell phone with him at the time and preliminary tests showed his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of his arrest. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, and an outside investigative firm has been hired to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

Members of Valencia’s family gathered in front of the police station with a shrine in his memory, demanding answers from the authorities. Valencia’s cousin, Carlos Velasquez, described him as a father of two who was in good health before his death. The family is devastated by the sudden loss and is seeking closure regarding the circumstances leading to Valencia’s tragic end.

The police department has not disclosed any information regarding possible disciplinary actions against the officers involved, citing an ongoing investigation. The community awaits further updates on the case as they mourn the loss of Eric Valencia.