Columbus police seeking identity of person found dead in trunk of burning car

A day after a person was found dead Monday afternoon in the trunk of a burning car, Columbus police are still trying to identify the homicide victim.

Authorities believe the deceased is a male whose age ranges from the late teens to 30s. He was found in a red 2006 Pontiac G6, a two-door vehicle, according to a news release.

Officials with Columbus Fire & EMS and the Columbus Police Department were called to the intersection of Harbison Drive and Head Street around 5:37 a.m. Monday to check on a car fire. The blaze was extinguished upon their arrival, according to the release.

“During a check for additional hot spots, the trunk was opened and a body was located inside,” Sgt. Lance Deaton said.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the body was “charred beyond recognition.” It was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime lab in Decatur for an autopsy.

Officials are still trying to determine if the victim was alive when the fire began.

Anyone who has information about the incident or a missing love one is encouraged to call Deaton at 706-225-4267 or 706-653-3400. You may also email him at lancedeaton@columbusga.org.

Monday’s death marks the 14th homicide in Columbus in 2017 and the 13th investigated by Columbus police. It comes after 34-year-old Brandon Scott was killed early Friday in a Rigdon Road shooting that wounded two others.

Officials said they are searching for six to 10 suspects in that deadly shooting.

Hours after Scott’s death, Pedro Juan Carmoega died of a stab wound at the Columbus Midtown Medical Center. The 36-year-old man was fatally wounded during a July 4 event.

This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Columbus police seeking identity of person found dead in trunk of burning car."