# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdgiYnJg9Bm
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70597261-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/69323f8a4c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-20T22:00:08.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

A 36-year-old nonverbal Arizona man passed away from heat exposure after being found inside a van outside the Mesa care facility his family trusted to transport him every day.

Lorenzo Lopez had severe autism and relied on Pathways for Life for transportation. On June 4, he was picked up that morning like usual, but never made it back home. About an hour after he was supposed to be dropped off, authorities found him inside the facility’s van. Investigators believe he may have been left there for several hours as temperatures climbed above 100°.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has now ruled his death an accident caused by heat. More than three months later, Mesa police are still investigating what happened and say they are reviewing the medical examiner’s findings before deciding whether to recommend criminal charges.

#Mesa #Arizona #ArizonaNews #Phoenix #MesaAZ

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 677
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 28

## Tags

mesaaz, arizonanews, mesa, arizona, phoenix

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