Man Found Suffering From Burns in Arroyo Seco on New Year’s Day Remains Unidentified; Circumstances Surrounding Death Still a Mystery

The identity of a man who died after being found suffering from severe burn injuries in the Arroyo Seco on New Year’s Day remained unidentified Thursday as police continued investigating the “suspicious death,” officials said.

The man was discovered by a passer-by around 7:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day with severe, widespread burn injuries in the Arroyo Seco near the 700 block of Rockwood Road, according to Pasadena police officials.

Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:35 a.m., according to Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani.

The victim was listed at the coroner’s office as John Doe #7, she said. Police described him as a Latino man estimated to be in his 30s.

A cause of death was yet to be determined, and detectives stopped short of labeling the incident a homicide on Thursday, said Pasadena police Lt. Carolyn Gordon.

“We’re considering it a suspicious death,” Gordon said.

Both homicide detectives and arson investigators are working on the case, Gordon said.

Information regarding how the fire may have started was not available.

Anyone with information regarding the mysterious death was urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.