Body found in burned van in Tierrasanta
Oct 29, 2024
A burned man’s body was found in a camper van in the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego on Tuesday morning.
First responders were sent to the 10900 block of Valldemosa Lane at around 10:30 a.m., and were joined afterward by members of the San Diego Police Department’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST),
Once firefighters arrived, they discovered a body in a burning Ford Transit Campervan, which was parked in a driveway in a suburban block of single-story homes. After crews put out the fire, a woman told first responders her father was missing, according to SDPD Sgt. Rick Pechin. They then found her father’s body between the front seats of the camper van, Pechin said.
The owner of the van, who officials said was over 80 years old, was visiting from Arizona and living in the vehicle while visiting his daughter, Pechin said.
A van on fire in Tierrasanta. A body was later discovered inside. Photograph by Bianca Ibe
Surveillance video shows the man getting into the van about 20 minutes before the fire erupted. Police have not yet confirmed a cause of the fire nor a cause of death.
A neighbor told police he heard screaming coming from the van for about five to 10 seconds before he came out and noticed first responders had already arrived.
Another neighbor, who told NBC 7 she does not know the occupants of the house where the fire was, said she heard a loud horn going off in the driveway two doors down from her and went outside to see the van ablaze in the driveway.
The neighbor shared a photo and video of a white van on fire.
Check back here for updates on this breaking news story — Ed.