Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Is dead man the piano player?

After Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene of a suspicious death in downtown Fallbrook today (July 3) at approximately 2:45 p.m., information began to unfold that indicates the dead body found inside a van in the parking lot of a local shopping center, in the 800 block of South Main, may be a transient musician that performed regularly at a nearby Italian restaurant.

Although authorities say they have not made a positive identification on the deceased, sources say it is believed to be a 58-year old male pianist known by the stage name ‘Nick Valero.’ While the cause of death is unknown at this time, Sheriff’s detectives described it as ‘definitely suspicious’ and said a full investigation will ensue.

The owner of the Italian restaurant said the musician has not been seen by any of his acquaintances for more than a week, but he noticed the man’s van in the parking lot last night.

“Today I went over to [the van], noticed the passenger window was down, and that a foul odor was coming from it,” Ron Nusser said. Nusser said the body appeared to be wedged under a makeshift bed inside the back of the van and was surrounded by boxes.

Nusser said he spoke with a man that Valero stayed with occasionally in Rainbow, who verified he hadn’t seen Valero in over a week either.

“It’s really a shame, he had a lot of talent,” Nusser said.

Sheriff’s authorities closed a large portion of the shopping center’s parking lot for the remainder of the afternoon and evening to investigate what may be a crime scene.

 

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