A man was found dead inside a police SUV 3 days later. ‘We want answers,’ said the family

Video released by the Azusa Police Department this week shows a man being released from jail before getting into an unoccupied police car where he was found days later.

Surveillance video released Monday shows Eric Valencia, 37, after he was released from jail on March 23 around 1 p.m., according to KABC. He walked until he got into a car parked outside the station. Valencia got into the back of the SUV and closed the door behind him.

Valencia was arrested on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment on March 20 and was held over the weekend before being released, Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick said at a news conference.

“Mr. Valencia was released from custody with no apparent signs of depression,” Wenrick said during the conference call, according to KABC. “Surveillance video shows Mr. Valencia trespassing into the rear area of ​​patrol unit 37.”

Valencia was first pulled over for driving without lights on and police suspected he was intoxicated due to signs of watery, bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol in the car, Wenrick told Fox during an interview.

Two children, ages 3 and 11, were in the car with Valencia, Wenrick added. Valencia had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit when he was arrested.

Valencia was released on March 23 and given his belongings, cell phone and food, according to Wenrick. His body was found inside an unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick told crews to take the patrol cars for a wash.

Valencia’s cell phone was found to be active and she did not call 911 for help, according to Wenrick.

Officials explained that non-working vehicles are often parked for days or weeks while waiting for equipment to be installed. In general, law enforcement vehicles cannot be unlocked from the back seats.

“We will do our best in the investigation to find out why Mr. Valencia got out of the car,” Wenrick said. “We hope that we will be able to bring closure to the family and for us to know why that decision was made and why he did what he did.”

Valencia’s sister-in-law Julia McCormick told NBC4 her family wants closure.

“He found out that he was here by car the whole time,” she said. “We want to know what happened, please, we want answers.”

Authorities said the department’s inoperable vehicles were parked outside while they waited for equipment to be installed. Law enforcement vehicles generally cannot be opened from the back seat.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is conducting an investigation and the cause of death has not been determined.

Valencia’s family told KABC that Valencia lives less than a mile away and has no medical conditions.

“They never called me again, no one from the police department ever called me to inform me that he had been found on Thursday morning, the call I received was from the coroner informing me that he had passed,” said a family member.