Found Deceased PA - Luis Espinoza, 30, walking his Doberman, medical student, dog found, Pittsburgh, 20 Jan 2025

[GraceG]

If any of you find a middle name for him or a birthdate (not year, but month and date) please let me know. I found something that is linkeable per the WS protocols that would explain a lot but NOT posting unless I'm 100% sure it's him.

 

[Sillybilly]

JAN 23, 2025

Pitt med student found dead; Police investigating

Pittsburgh police announced Friday that 30-year-old Luis Espinoza, a medical student from the University of Pittsburgh who was reported missing Monday, has been found dead.

www.wtae.com

• Luis is originally from New York and has been in Pittsburgh for the last five years as a medical student.
• He's approx 5'6" tall, with shoulder-length black hair, of Mexican descent, with a septum piercing.
• He speaks to his parents daily, but the last time they could reach him was Saturday.
• His father drove to Pittsburgh to get answers.
• He also called LE for a wellness check. When they went to the apartment, the front door was open.
• All of Luis' cards, cash and car keys are still in his home.
• Neighbors said his car hadn't been moved in three days.
• The family called the University of Pittsburgh and learned that he was not in class this week.
• A search began at South Side Park, where Luis was last seen on camera walking his Doberman Mon morning.
• 30 minutes, 45 minutes after he's seen on camera, the dog came running out by himself.
• The dog was found on Sterling St and was picked up by animal control.
• Luis' sister says the dog was acting like he was trying to get help.
• The family took the dog back to the park and Luis' sister said, "He just kept crying, and he kept pulling over there, toward that way. He was crying and pulling."

Rest in Peace, Luis.

So very, very sad, and even moreso to know that the dog was on Sterling Street trying to get help, and Luis' body was actually found on that street.

 

[Knox]

The Allegheny County medical examiner's office said Luis Espinoza's body was found along the 100 block of Sterling Street, near South Side Park Friday morning.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882882175638589566

@Kittybunny - can you speak to the specific area he was found? Is there water, steep hillsides?

I guess we’ll know soon enough, but wondering if this was an accident or …

 

[GraceG]

@Kittybunny - can you speak to the specific area he was found? Is there water, steep hillsides?

I guess we’ll know soon enough, but wondering if this was an accident or …

They may order a tox screen if COD isn't obvious. That can take six weeks on average.

 

[indicolite22]

If any of you find a middle name for him or a birthdate (not year, but month and date) please let me know. I found something that is linkeable per the WS protocols that would explain a lot but NOT posting unless I'm 100% sure it's him.

His DOB (from his missing person flyer): 09/22/94

His fb: Log into Facebook

 

[GraceG]

His DOB (from his missing person flyer): 09/22/94

His fb: Log into Facebook

That's what I was afraid of -

A Luis I. Espinoza, date of birth 9-22-94 from Pittsburgh was arrested last year for DUI under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Schedule 1.

Schedule 1 drugs are substances that are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical uses. Examples of Schedule 1 drugs include: Opioids, Opium derivatives, Hallucinogenic or psychedelic substances, Depressants, Stimulants, and Cannabimimetic agents.

Medical school is grueling - and sometimes there are students that keep up the pace with illegal stimulants. Not saying it's legal, or smart, or widespread, but it happens, to some really good people.

The case is closed, but as a medical student, a misdomeaner drug charge, especially a DUI under the influence of Schedule 1 drugs, would likely get him kicked out of the medical school program at a competitive university once they are aware of it. Even a misdemeanor conviction may prevent some medical students from completing their experiential education requirements or obtaining licensure after graduation due to site or state restrictions.

Felony and Misdemeanor

Felony and Misdemeanor

students-residents.aamc.org

From the PA Judicial records https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/casesearch

Docket Number: MJ-05207-CR-0000079-2024
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
v.
Luis Irvin Espinoza
Case Status Closed

DEFENDANT INFORMATION
Name: Espinoza, Luis Irvin Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 09/22/1994 Race: Unkn
Home Pittsburgh, PA 15210

# Charge Grade Description Offense Dt. Disposition
1 75 § 3802 §§ D1i* M DUI: Controlled Substance - Schedule 1 - 1st Offense 01/22/2024 Disposition: Waived for Court (note from gg: this simply means that the defendant agrees that the Commonwealth would be able to prove their basic case and that they will allow the case to proceed to the Court of Common Pleas without having a hearing to make that determination.)
Arresting Agency: Monroeville Police Dept Arrest Date: 01/22/2024
OTN: R 922774-6 File Date: 02/07/2024
Complaint No.: ASAP-832186 Incident No.: 23-000310
Disposition Date: 09/30/2024
Township: Monroeville Borough
Allegheny County

STATUS INFORMATION
Formal Arraignment 11/18/2024 10:00 am 519 Courthouse Scheduled
10/04/2024 Case Transferred to Court of Common Pleas

I'm truly saddened by his death, in so many ways.

 

[Kittybunny]

@Kittybunny - can you speak to the specific area he was found? Is there water, steep hillsides?

I guess we’ll know soon enough, but wondering if this was an accident or …

No water, but steep hills around, though Mission itself in those blocks is pretty level. I’m a bit unclear if he was found on the street, near his home, or in the park.

 

[lesleyNOPE]

Medical school is grueling - and sometimes there are students that keep up the pace with illegal stimulants. Not saying it's legal, or smart, or widespread, but it happens, to some really good people.

Not for nothing but marijuana is a schedule 1 drug. If it doesn’t say what the schedule 1 drug was then I wouldn’t feel comfortable assuming it’s a stimulant or something harder. It could be many things.

 

[Teche]

That's what I was afraid of -

A Luis I. Espinoza, date of birth 9-22-94 from Pittsburgh was arrested last year for DUI under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Schedule 1.

Schedule 1 drugs are substances that are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical uses. Examples of Schedule 1 drugs include: Opioids, Opium derivatives, Hallucinogenic or psychedelic substances, Depressants, Stimulants, and Cannabimimetic agents.

Medical school is grueling - and sometimes there are students that keep up the pace with illegal stimulants. Not saying it's legal, or smart, or widespread, but it happens, to some really good people.

The case is closed, but as a medical student, a misdomeaner drug charge, especially a DUI under the influence of Schedule 1 drugs, would likely get him kicked out of the medical school program at a competitive university once they are aware of it. Even a misdemeanor conviction may prevent some medical students from completing their experiential education requirements or obtaining licensure after graduation due to site or state restrictions.

Felony and Misdemeanor

Felony and Misdemeanor

students-residents.aamc.org

From the PA Judicial records https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/casesearch

Docket Number: MJ-05207-CR-0000079-2024
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
v.
Luis Irvin Espinoza
Case Status Closed

DEFENDANT INFORMATION
Name: Espinoza, Luis Irvin Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 09/22/1994 Race: Unkn
Home Pittsburgh, PA 15210

# Charge Grade Description Offense Dt. Disposition
1 75 § 3802 §§ D1i* M DUI: Controlled Substance - Schedule 1 - 1st Offense 01/22/2024 Disposition: Waived for Court (note from gg: this simply means that the defendant agrees that the Commonwealth would be able to prove their basic case and that they will allow the case to proceed to the Court of Common Pleas without having a hearing to make that determination.)
Arresting Agency: Monroeville Police Dept Arrest Date: 01/22/2024
OTN: R 922774-6 File Date: 02/07/2024
Complaint No.: ASAP-832186 Incident No.: 23-000310
Disposition Date: 09/30/2024
Township: Monroeville Borough
Allegheny County

STATUS INFORMATION
Formal Arraignment 11/18/2024 10:00 am 519 Courthouse Scheduled
10/04/2024 Case Transferred to Court of Common Pleas

I'm truly saddened by his death, in so many ways.

When a missing person leaves personal belongings (wallet, keys, phone, vehicle, etc) oftentimes points to self-harm. Medical school is tough enough without a possible court case that could hinder one’s career path.

 

[Deleted member 352484]

Wunderground reports temperature around 9/10 degrees at the time he was last seen.

Imperial, PA Weather History | Weather Underground

 

[starlightstarbright]

I wish we knew a bit more about where he was found. 100 block of Sterling St is just a street with what looks like some wasteland/overgrown green space between houses. I assume he must have been found there? Rather than literally on the street or in a house.

I did think initially that it was very strange if, let’s say, this was self harm, that he brought his dog. But if he lived alone, maybe this was his way of making sure the dog would be found. MOO

 

[iamshadow21]

I wish we knew a bit more about where he was found. 100 block of Sterling St is just a street with what looks like some wasteland/overgrown green space between houses. I assume he must have been found there? Rather than literally on the street or in a house.

I did think initially that it was very strange if, let’s say, this was self harm, that he brought his dog. But if he lived alone, maybe this was his way of making sure the dog would be found. MOO

I've heard of other cases where dogs coming home alone is what alerts others to a completed suicide.

MOO