Two Men Found Dead Identified By Police

Thu., May 4, 2000

From Staff

Spokane police identified two men whose bodies were found Tuesday, saying they do not suspect murder in either case.

Jose M. Mendoza, 40, of 212 W. Seventh, was found in the doorway of Outback Jack’s downtown. Signs indicate Mendoza may have died of alcohol poisoning, according to police. He was found at 10:30 a.m. about an hour after a construction worker last saw the man alive.

A second man was found dead at about 3 p.m. Tuesday in a van parked in the 200 block of South Madison. He was identified as 69-year-old Arlen E. Sandlin.

A witness who works in the area where Sandlin was found told police the van had been parked in the same location for about a month. The van had Oregon disabled veteran license plates and a handicapped parking permit. Detectives said an autopsy did not indicate foul play.

Toxicology reports on both men are not expected back for several weeks.

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