Emergency personnel respond at a Christiansted junkyard on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, where a man was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Photo Credit: SCREENSHOT OF CIRCULATING VIDEO.
ST. CROIX — Authorities have determined that the death of a man found unresponsive earlier this month at a Christiansted junkyard was accidental, concluding that he died after suffering severe head trauma from a fall.
According to an update issued by the V.I. Police Department on January 21, an autopsy found the cause of death to be accidental death by falling. The deceased was identified as 55-year-old Guadaloupe Mosquea-Paredes, who sustained fatal head injuries as a result of the fall.
The determination follows an incident reported on the morning of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when a concerned citizen contacted the 911 Emergency Call Center at approximately 8:19 a.m. to report a man down at a junkyard located in Estate Cottage, Christiansted. Fire and Emergency Medical Services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, emergency responders examined the individual and pronounced him dead at the location. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) were also present as part of the initial response. At that time, investigators observed that the lifeless body had an injury to the head, and officials said the circumstances surrounding the death required further examination.
In earlier statements following the discovery, police indicated that foul play had not been ruled out, and reports suggesting the man may have been struck by heavy machinery were among the possibilities under review while the investigation remained open and next-of-kin identification was pending.
The autopsy findings released this week clarified the cause and manner of death, determining that the fatal injuries were consistent with an accidental fall rather than a criminal act.
Despite the autopsy conclusion, police said the investigation is ongoing as detectives continue efforts to notify and locate next of kin to complete the identification process.
The VIPD is urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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