In Southern California, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has confirmed that a body found in the hills above Glendale is that of 57-year-old Yoshiya Watanabe, who had missing from Rancho Palos Verdes since last week: Body confirmed as that of missing Rancho Palos Verdes man.Yoshiya Watanabe, who suffered from memory impairment seizures, diabetes and other health problems, was reported missing from his home Thursday night. He had taken off in his son's dark gray Mercedes, which was found over the weekend by a hiker. Watanabe's body was discovered yesterday afternoon:
Police discovered the body shortly after noon Monday in the 1600 block of Glen Oaks Boulevard. A family member was called to the scene to identify the body.The exact cause of death is unknown, but his death appears to be an accident. Watanabe has no ties to Glendale, and his famiily apparently has no idea why he ended up in that part of the county. More here: Police ID body found near landfill as missing Palos Verde man.
The evidence points to an accidental death, but police are waiting until the autopsy is completed to definitively rule out homicide, Lorenz said. A forensics team went over the scene and collected evidence. The time of death was unclear.
"As far as we're concerned, it appears to be a very tragic accident," Lorenz said. "But we're waiting for the coroner's determination."