A grim discovery inside a red pickup in East San José has detectives asking the public to help put a name to the man found dead in the cab.
San José police opened a death investigation after a body was located inside a vehicle on March 21 near Francis Drive and McKee Road. Investigators say foul play may be involved and have released a missing-person name while they work to confirm whether it matches the decedent.
Police Detail the Grim Find
In a post from San José Police Media Relations, officers identified the case as 26-085-9707 and said the remains were discovered inside a vehicle on March 21. The vehicle was described as a red, two-door 2010 Nissan Frontier that has been recovered and is being held as evidence.
SJPD Seeks Publics Assistancehttps://t.co/dAEecyWzUO
— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) March 31, 2026
The release named Aldama Refugio Jr., 40, of San José as a missing person connected to the inquiry and noted that the decedent's remains were taken into custody by the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner.
How to Submit Tips
Anyone with information is asked to submit tips through the P3TIPS mobile app, call the department tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or visit the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers website. Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers notes that tipsters whose information leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
What Investigators Are Asking
San José police asked anyone who may have seen Aldama Refugio Jr. in early 2026, or who noticed a red two-door Nissan Frontier in the area around the time of the discovery, to contact Detective Sergeant Taylor (#4257) or Detective Van Brande (#4542) at [email protected] or [email protected]. The department also listed a contact phone number for the investigation, 408-504-1326.
The post was authored by Sergeant Jorge Garibay (#4218) and authorized by Lieutenant Barg (#3640), according to the department's notice.
