Car wash worker found dead in abandoned Detroit house
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By Ronnie Dahl Fox 2 News
DETROIT (WJBK) -- Rodney McCoy's co-workers told us that he would often sleep in an abandoned home next door to the car was where he worked. When he didn't show up Friday morning, they went there looking for him and discovered him dead.
"He washed cars and he was good at it," said Renaldo Vantrees.
It was nearly a dozen years ago when Vantrees convinced McCoy to come work for him at the Wash Rack on Detroit's west side. He never thought the last time he would see his friend and co-worker would be Christmas Eve.
"His cousin said he was coming to pick him up Christmas Eve, and I thought that he was... with his people and that he would be alright for the holiday anyway," Vantrees said.
Friday morning, the car washed reopened following the holiday. When McCoy didn't show up, they went looking for him. He had been staying in a house that had long been abandoned.
"He was sleeping on carpet insulation," said Vantrees. "He had a candle in there and his radio."
Workers discovered the 55-year-old's body in a back room. There was blood in the house and Detroit Police are investigating, but its believed McCoy died from exposure to the cold weather elements.
Employees at the car wash tried to help their friend, offering him food and warm boots. They tried to get him to go to a shelter, but he refused.
"I guess he [is] in a better place now," Vantrees said.
The medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine exactly how and when McCoy died.
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