RCC student found dead near parking structure

Natalie Strain, Viewpoints Staff Writer

May 9, 2024

Flowers, candles and notes left at memorial site outside of parking structure on April 22.

This article has been reprinted with permission from Viewpoints, the student-run newspaper of Riverside City College. It may contain information that some may find sensitive.

A Riverside City College student was found dead near the southeast side of the parking structure on April 16 at approximately 2 p.m., according to a Riverside City College Police report obtained through a public records request.

RCCPD was notified by a reporting party who witnessed individual Carlos Daniel Pedro Villalobos, 24, jumping from the fifth floor of the structure, 51 feet above the ground. Police officer Goddard was assigned to patrol the campus when dispatch broadcasted the call of the reporting party who witnessed the incident occur. Class remained in session as the scene was investigated.

Goddard and police officers Ochoa and Rojas reported to the scene to find Pedroza Villalobos unconscious. After performing chest compressions, the student was then transported to Riverside Community Hospital and pronounced deceased at 2:13 p.m.

Goddard responded to the fifth level of the parking structure and located a white Adidas backpack on a bench near the ledge of the structure. A wallet containing credit cards, a California Driver’s License and car keys were found determining the identity of the victim.

After Ochoa located the victim’s cell phone, Goddard attempted to reach the victim’s emergency contact number. Goddard encountered a message sent from Pedroza Villalobos’ phone to 911 stating “Someone jumped off the RCC parking structure.”

Reporting party and student Jayden Hermosillo said that he was in class at the ceramics building near the structure when he noticed the subject sitting over the railing of the top of the parking structure. An additional student said he was walking into the parking structure when the incident was unfolding.

Rojas and Goddard arrived at Pedroza Villalobos’s home to notify his parents of the incident. According to police accounts, the mother said that the morning of, she reminded her son that she loves him. She told police that her son was acting unusual, giving her extra hugs as he left for school. She also noted that Pedroza Villalobos was a happy person and was not under any medication.

After speaking to his parents, Goddard identified the victim’s car, where no signs of evidence or a note were uncovered to reveal the motive of his suicide.

If you or a loved one has experienced thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or 988 or online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for confidential support.

Students can contact the Inland SoCal Crisis Helpline at 951-686-HELP (4357).

Students can reach on-campus support by contacting the Wellness Center, located at Parkside Complex 6 (PSC 6) during the following hours: