Arrested in body-parts case, man is released then dies within days

A man who was arrested in connection with the discovery of a suitcase full of body parts in San Francisco has died.

Mark Andrus was arrested then released last week because of a lack of evidence. San Francisco police confirmed that he died over the weekend.

The San Francisco medical examiner’s office said the cause and manner of Andrus’ death were under investigation. They confirmed Andrus was 54 and a resident of San Francisco.

Andrus had checked himself into a hospital after reportedly suffering septic shock due to a drug-related issue, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

His death came just days after he was released in connection with the grisly discovery on Jan. 28. On that day, police received a call about a suspicious package in the area of 11th Street between Mission and Market streets.

The package turned out to be a suitcase containing body parts. Police searched the neighborhood and found more body parts.

The San Francisco medical examiner’s office later confirmed the body parts belonged to an “unidentified light-skinned male.”

The state Bureau of Forensic Services’ DNA laboratory will help to identify him. It is unclear how long that will take.

San Francisco police had said Andrus was a person of interest and arrested him on Jan. 31 after receiving a tip. He was released after prosecutors said there wasn’t sufficient evidence to charge him with murder.

Meanwhile, Officer Albie Esparza said the investigation was not over and detectives were still hoping to find the person responsible.

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