(L.A.) Benjamin Varela, 57, Died at an Encampment
Case Number: 2024-07429
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 57-year-old Latino male that occurred at an encampment.
The coroner’s office has identified the man as Benjamin Varela.
Manner of Death: Accident
Cause of Death: Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Toxicity
RIP BENJAMIN VARELA (March 2, 1967 – May 5, 2024)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday at 8:14 a.m.
Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on September 16, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back positive for the drugs.
The decedent was discovered inside a “human-dug” cave in Northridge, along with another lifeless man.
LAFD BULLETIN
Northridge Hazardous Materials
05-05-2024 10:38am 8700 N Lindley Av
Firefighters arrived to find two deceased persons inside of a human-dug cave/excavation. A white powder substance was observed inside. LAFD now have both Hazardous Materials teams and Urban Search and Rescue specialists on scene to assist with the body recovery. LAPD Incident #1406.
INCIDENT #0673; FS103; Battalion 15; Valley Bureau; Council District 12; Dispatched Units BC15 CM40 CM42 E28 E287 E288 E88 E95 RA70 RA87 RA90 SQ87 SQ95 T87 T88 UR88; Dispatch Channel 8; TAC 17 18
Map views only approximate location and do not indicate the precise spot where the incident happened.