Marco Antonio Vasquez, 30, of Los Angeles was found dead in a vehicle on October 27, 2020. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office classified his death as an accident, but family and friends have questioned that finding and pushed for further investigation.

No arrests or suspects were identified in the months after his death. The family filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, alleging deputies failed to follow proper protocols and that their actions contributed to Vasquez’s death. The complaint says deputies visited his home earlier and should have taken him into custody on a psychiatric hold after a recent hospitalization and a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

The case prompted public debate about law enforcement interactions with people in mental-health crisis and remains the subject of ongoing litigation. If anyone knew Marco, witnessed the events around October 27, 2020, or has information about the deputies’ contacts with him, please come forward.