SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Spokane police say a 42-year-old man who walked into a fast-food restaurant and locked himself inside a large walk-in cooler was found dead when officers managed to pull the door’s hinge pins and open it.
Officer Jennifer DeRuwe (De-ROO) said Tuesday that Richard Thomas of Spokane did not appear to have died of exposure and there were no signs of violence. Police are awaiting autopsy results.
Employees at the Taco Bell called police about 8 p.m. Monday to say a man had just walked into the restaurant and locked himself in the cooler used to store food. DeRuwe says it took officers about 15 minutes to get the door off.
She says the man was dressed normally.
The officer said she doesn’t believe the man had any connection to the restaurant.
