Eric Valencia
Eric Valencia, a 37-year-old father of two, was held at the Azusa Police Department jail and released on March 23, 2026. Surveillance video shows him climbing into the back seat of an unlocked police SUV parked outside the station, where he could not get out without help. His body was found in the vehicle on March 26, and an autopsy determined he died of hyperthermia. His family's attorneys have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging negligence, and the city has declined public comment on the pending litigation. His sons still ask for him every night, according to Justine Cendejas, the mother of his children, and the family says they want justice and answers.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The autopsy found hyperthermia, and his family's attorneys allege in a federal civil rights lawsuit that officers were negligent in leaving him locked in an unlocked, parked police SUV where he could not get out.
Reported by: autopsy; family's attorneys (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family's attorneys filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging negligence over his death, and the city has declined public comment on the pending litigation.