Relatives of a 37-year-old man who died inside a patrol SUV parked outside the Azusa Police Department were continuing to press for answers Tuesday about his death and why he apparently got into the vehicle after being released from custody.
Eric Valencia, described by relatives as a father of two, was found dead in the backseat of the police SUV around 4:50 a.m. Thursday in the 700 block of North Alameda Avenue, police said. A cause of death has not yet been determined.
According to Azusa police, Valencia had been arrested March 20 on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment, but he was released from custody on March 23 pending additional investigation. The department released body-camera and surveillance footage showing Valencia being arrested and processed at the police station.
It also released surveillance video that shows Valencia being released from custody — apparently with a bagged lunch and his fully charged cell phone. The video shows Valencia inexplicably climbing into the back seat of a police SUV, which department officials said was parked by the station awaiting maintenance.
Valencia was not discovered until three days later when an officer tried to move the vehicle.
Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick told reporters Valencia had a blood-alcohol level that was double the legal limit when he was arrested. But he showed no sign of distress when he was released.
He said Valencia’s relatives filed a missing-person report on March 25, but police were unaware at the time that he had gotten into the unattended vehicle parked nearby.
Some of Valencia’s relatives and their supporters held a news conference with their attorneys on Monday, saying they were still seeking answers about the circumstances of his death.
“The family wants those answers,” attorney Michael Carrillo said.