Man found dead in tent near LA River days after FOX 11 report on drug, safety concerns

LOS ANGELES - A homeless man was found dead inside a tent along the Los Angeles River near Griffith Park on Thursday morning, just three days after FOX 11 first reported on growing safety and drug concerns in the same area.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the man’s death, which advocates say is a possible drug overdose.

Cameron Flanagan, a clinical therapist and advocate for the homeless, said the man — known on the river as "Venezuela" — was in his 30s.

"I feel sick to my stomach. I feel angry," Flanagan said.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Troubling conditions along LA River near Griffith Park raising safety concerns

Flanagan said the man had recently been in contact with outreach teams and was seen meeting with them earlier in the week.

When asked what may have led to his death, Flanagan pointed to drug use.

"Drugs. Drug overdose," he said.

Flanagan described the man as living in dangerous conditions without consistent support.

"He had no guidance, no roof over his head, no staff, no one looking out for him," Flanagan said. "He was in a very dangerous position."

The conditions along the river remain largely unchanged from earlier this week, with visible drug paraphernalia, including needles, and people living in tents and storm drains.

Some who live in the area say they have been there for decades.

A woman who identified herself as Isis said she has lived along the river for about 30 years.

Asked if she would accept help or housing, she said she would, but only if it allowed her to remain near the river.

"I’d love to, but it has to be on the river," she said.

Homeless advocates say deaths like this are part of a larger crisis. On average, more than six homeless people die each day in Los Angeles County.

Earlier this week, before the man’s death, Councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman said her office has been working to address homelessness and safety concerns along the river.

"Residents deserve to feel safe, and we take these reports extremely seriously," Raman said.

Raman said her office has secured two encampment resolution grants from Gov. Gavin Newsom. She said the first, awarded in 2021, helped move 64 people living along the river — primarily near Los Feliz and Griffith Park — into stable housing.

A second $4 million grant was awarded last March, with efforts ongoing to connect people in the area with services and housing.

Raman said her office is also working with city departments and law enforcement to address criminal activity and safety concerns.

She noted the area presents unique challenges, including steep concrete slopes, culverts and hard-to-reach sections along the river.

"The only lasting solution is to bring people inside, and we are pursuing that solution with urgency," Raman said.

Following the man’s death, Raman called it a "devastating loss."

"This is a devastating loss of life and one that underscores what’s at stake when we move too slowly," she said. "When there are delays in delivering services or getting people into housing, the consequences are not abstract, they are real, and they are fatal."

Raman added that funding exists to address homelessness along the river but has been delayed.

"No one deserves to die on our streets," she said. "We have the funding — we need the political will to get it out the door to connect people to the services and housing that can save lives."

Mayor Karen Bass also called the death tragic, emphasizing the city’s efforts to move people off the streets and into housing.

"When people are left on the street, their mental health, addictions and physical health all exponentially worsen," Bass said in a statement, adding that street homelessness in Los Angeles has decreased by 17.5% during her administration.

The mayor’s office said the area is a multi-jurisdictional site and that city crews, along with state and federal partners, are working to coordinate cleanup efforts. A cleanup of areas under city jurisdiction is scheduled for Monday.

Hours after the man’s death, people were seen going through belongings left behind at the encampment — a stark reminder of the instability faced by those living along the river.

Flanagan said the dangers extend beyond this one case.

"Living along the river and continuing to use drugs is not a productive life," he said. "People continue to use and die — even after being offered housing."

Another homeless person died near the same stretch of the river about three weeks ago. Some residents and advocates now question whether drug use may be a common factor.

The identity of the man found Thursday has not been officially released as the investigation continues.