A 63-year-old man, who was last seen on May 22, was found dead in his car in Los Angeles on Friday, July 18, authorities announced.
The Los Angeles Police Department in a statement initially said that Rwechungula Anyabwile last communicated with his family through a group text on June 22. Authorities also said that his family disclosed Anyabwile had no known medical conditions, and he had never gone missing before.
But authorities in an update stated that on July 18 at 1:40 p.m., Anyabwile was found dead inside his car in Westchester, and his family had been informed.
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At the time Anyabwile was reported missing, his family said they were worried that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or someone pretending to be an official with the organization had illegally detained him because his name sounded African, The Argonaut reported.
“That’s one of the more prominent fears, that he is either unlawfully detained by ICE or kidnapped by ICE impersonators, which is also happening,” his daughter, Nandi Anyabwile, said at the time. “Or…he experienced a head injury, fell in the heat, passed out, or something and someone stole his phone, car and wallet. Or he went on a hike and fell down the ravine. Those are the main things that are in my head right now.”
His family also stated that he was born in Angelino, Los Angeles, adding that the ICE may have mistakenly detained him because he frequently slept close to a Home Depot in Playa Vista.
“He’s been (living in his car) for a while,” Nandi said. “It’s his normal routine. He prefers to live that lifestyle, but he’s done it very practically and safe. He has his typical neighborhoods. He picks safe and quiet neighborhoods and streets to spend the night in.”
She also said that it was “very unlike him to not be in contact with us for this long.” “Especially when, mid-conversation, his last text was, he was talking about ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and I sent the group chat links about one of his favorite restaurant chains, which he would have for sure responded to.”
“Our family’s been here for generations, and he is a community member that gets around,” Nandi also told the news outlet. “He used to do food demos when he was working for a company, so he would set up in grocery stores and demo their product. He used to deliver for Instacart. Mostly recently, he’s been delivering for Uber Eats, so he has his regular deliveries, and people know him and know his face. Even people like residents in the surrounding area of the LA Fitness recognized him.”
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