Man who died inside motorhome identified by Chula Vista police

CHULA VISTA (KUSI) – Chula Vista police have identified the man found dead in a motorhome Sunday.

Michael James Johnson, 55, was found just after 8:30 p.m. by officers performing a welfare check in the 500 block of C Street near Broadway.

According to the Chula Vista police, the RV was locked and didn’t show any signs of a forced entry.

Johnson’s body showed a small bump on the forehead consistent with a fall, but there were no other signs of violence or injury.

Witnesses told police that Johnson would often start small fires inside the RV to keep warm and had recently had a barbecue on the day his body was found.

Police said soot was found inside Johnson’s lungs which means he was alive during the fire.

It is likely that Johnson was overcome by smoke and while trying to escape, became disoriented and fell.

Authorities suspect Johnson died of carbon monoxide poisoning, but an autopsy did not establish the cause of death. Investigators were awaiting the results of further tests.