Body found in impounded SUV at California tow yard, days after family reports man missing

San Diego, California – A man was found dead in the back of his white Kia SUV on Monday afternoon, a week after the vehicle was towed and impounded at a Road One tow yard in Logan Heights, authorities confirmed.

San Diego police said the discovery came the same day the man’s family received a notice that the vehicle had been impounded and towed to the Road One lot on National Avenue. After reporting him missing, the family contacted police, who in turn asked the tow yard to gain access to the SUV. Inside, they found the man’s body.

Police and homicide detectives responded to the scene just before 2 p.m., launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. While the case remains open, investigators said evidence at the scene strongly suggests suicide, including the presence of a weapon and other corroborating details found inside the vehicle.

Lt. Lou Maggi of the San Diego Police Department outlined the vehicle’s timeline. The Kia was first reported parked in the same location for over 72 hours through the city’s “Get It Done” app on March 29. Code enforcement issued a citation on April 10, and the vehicle was impounded on April 21. It wasn’t until April 28 — a full week later — that the man’s family learned of the impound and reported him missing.

“The officers taking the report contacted Road One and asked them to check the vehicle,” said Maggi. “Because the SUV was locked, the tow yard couldn’t perform a standard inventory search for valuables at the time of impound.”

The case has drawn renewed attention to city procedures surrounding impounded vehicles and how they are handled, especially in light of a similar incident last year. In December 2023, the body of 65-year-old Monica Cameroni De Adams was found in her van at another San Diego tow yard, more than a month after it had been impounded following a crash. Her death sparked a lawsuit against the city and San Diego police, alleging negligence.

Federal guidelines do not require police to search lawfully impounded vehicles without a warrant, but they do allow for inventory searches. Critics argue that more routine inspections — especially of locked vehicles — could prevent such grim discoveries and provide closure to families sooner.

Inside the tow yard on Monday, customers Bryan and Diana Hernandez were collecting items from their own towed vehicle when police arrived. They said they saw officers surrounding the white SUV but were unaware of what was happening.

“It’s gnarly. That’s insane,” said Bryan Hernandez. His sister added, “The cars get towed. I think they should pay more attention. It’s bad.”

The man’s identity has not been released, pending notification of extended family. Officials say no foul play is suspected at this time.

The case remains under investigation.