Man Found Dead in Trunk of Burned Car

IRVINE —  Police are looking for witnesses to help their investigation into the slaying of a 20-year-old student whose charred body was found in the trunk of his car near Laguna Canyon Road.

The body of Yichen Eric Liu of El Monte was found Monday afternoon. His hands had been tied before he was locked inside the trunk of the car, and he may have been alive when one or more people set fire to the car after pouring gasoline on it, Irvine Lt. Sam Allevato said.

Investigators do not believe that Liu, a business student, was affiliated with any gangs or that the murder was drug-related.

“We’re trying to find the connection between our city and the El Monte area,” Allevato said, adding that officers are looking for witnesses who saw a white mid-size car in the area between 11 a.m. and 2:25 p.m.

Liu’s mother, who was visiting from Taiwan, saw Liu on Monday shortly before 10 a.m., when he left the home he shared with his older sister, Annie. Investigators said they found remains of college books in his car and said they believe he was going to a morning class at Rio Hondo College in Whittier.

Less than three hours later, a woman saw his gray Honda Accord explode on an empty lot near the Irvine Water District Office. Others also witnessed the furious fire that burned everything inside the car.

Because the body was so badly burned, police are making DNA tests to verify that Liu was the victim.

Annie Liu described her brother as a dedicated, punctual student who was excited about his new life in the United States since arriving two years ago to study business and help out in his father’s jeans import business.

Anyone with information is asked to call Irvine Police Investigator Gary Cain at (949) 724 7171.