Pima County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a man who was found dead in Avra Valley.
.@PimaSheriff is investigating a man found dead in a car near Silverbell Road in Avra Valley. pic.twitter.com/nFQZEjBARj
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) June 23, 2016
According to deputy Ryan Inglett, the body was found in a wash in the 17100 block of West Silverbell Road. A man was found dead in a car. A neighbor called 911 at about 5 a.m. Thursday after hearing a "commotion" near the wash.
.@PimaSheriff says a neighbor called 911 reporting a commotion near the wash. When deputies arrived, they found a man dead in the wash.
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) June 23, 2016
Detectives declared the case a homicide. The victim has "obvious signs of trauma," Inglett said.
PCSD says at 4 a.m. deputies from the Tucson Mountain District responded to the 171000 block of West Silverbell Road for a call of a suspicious vehicle.
As the deputies were en route, they learned that a vehicle drove through a yard and crashed into a water tank. The vehicle eventually stopped in a nearby wash.
When deputies arrived, they located the driver 31-year-old James Pierce Jr., dead behind the wheel of a white Chevrolet Suburban.
Deputies say Pierce had obvious signs of trauma.
The Homicide Unit responded to the scene to take over the investigation. At this time, the cause of death is pending and will be determined by the results of a forensic examination by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Deputes are asking anyone with any additional information on this case to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME to remain anonymous.
