University police said the man and woman were not affiliated with the school.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two people were found dead inside a parked car Saturday afternoon in a parking garage at San Jose State University, prompting an ongoing investigation by campus police and local authorities.
Officers responded shortly after 2 p.m. to reports of two unresponsive people inside a vehicle in the university’s West Garage at 350 S. Fourth St. Firefighters attempted CPR efforts after arriving at the scene, but both people were pronounced dead at about 2:20 p.m., according to university police officials. Authorities said the two people were not affiliated with the university, and investigators had not announced any suspects or publicly identified the victims as of Sunday.
San Jose State University Police Captain Jermaine Thomas said officers were called to the garage after reports of two people inside a parked vehicle who were not responding. Emergency crews entered the garage and attempted lifesaving measures before both individuals were declared dead at the scene. Police have not said how long the vehicle had been parked in the garage before officers arrived, and investigators have not released information about the cause of death. Authorities also have not said whether the deaths are being investigated as accidental, medical-related, or criminal in nature.
The discovery drew attention across the downtown San Jose campus during the weekend as police vehicles and emergency crews gathered around the garage entrance. The West Garage is located near academic buildings and student facilities in the center of the university campus. Officials did not announce whether any campus operations were affected following the response. University police said the investigation remains active, though Thomas said investigators are not currently searching for suspects. No evidence of an immediate threat to students or staff was announced.
Campus police have not released the names, ages, or hometowns of the two people found in the vehicle. Officials said notification of family members and confirmation by the Santa Clara County medical examiner would likely occur before additional details are made public. Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage from the parking structure and examine the vehicle as part of the inquiry. Authorities have not disclosed whether any witnesses reported suspicious activity before the emergency call was made Saturday afternoon.
The incident comes as universities across California continue to rely on campus police departments to handle emergencies involving both students and visitors. Parking garages at urban campuses such as San Jose State often remain open throughout the day and evening to students, faculty members, and public visitors. While serious incidents inside campus parking structures are relatively uncommon, law enforcement agencies typically treat unattended deaths inside vehicles as active investigations until medical and forensic examinations are complete.
Police officials said additional information would be released once investigators complete preliminary interviews and forensic reviews connected to the case. The Santa Clara County medical examiner is expected to determine the official causes and manners of death. Authorities did not announce a timeline for those findings, and no court filings or criminal charges had been connected to the case by Sunday evening.
People moving through the downtown campus Saturday afternoon described seeing emergency vehicles positioned outside the garage while officers restricted access to portions of the area. Students remaining on campus during the holiday weekend paused near police tape and watched investigators move through the structure. Officials did not describe any signs of violence at the scene, and police continued asking the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains incomplete.
The case remained under investigation Sunday, with authorities awaiting medical examiner findings and additional evidence reviews before releasing further details about the two deaths.
Author note: Last updated May 25, 2026.