A man’s body was found inside an SUV at a Lake Stevens, Washington scrap yard, authorities said.

The scrap yard workers discovered the body in the vehicle while prepping it for crushing. The SUV was purchased from an abandoned vehicle auction through a Lynnwood towing company.

According to reports, Michael Smith, an employee of the scrapyard, stated, “I’ve worked in this business for over 10 years (and) this is the first time we’ve ever gotten a body in.” He explained that they bought the auctioned and abandoned 2002 Ford Explorer from a towing company. “The seats were laid down. He was in a sleeping bag laid out towards the back of the vehicle, feet towards the front.”

Generally, cars in auctions become impounded by the police for various reasons and are then towed to the respective towing company’s lot. Those cars are later sold at auction.

An employee at the scrapyard said he typically inspects vehicles before purchase, but this particular vehicle was included in a large lot and was not individually scrutinized.

After police were summoned, the body and evidence were removed, and the vehicle was returned to the business.

Published in the September 2022 Edition

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