Autopsy Performed On Body In Burning Car - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Autopsy Performed On Body In Burning Car

SALINAS, Calif. - An autopsy was completed Thursday on the body found this week in a burned car at a public housing apartment complex in Salinas.

Authorities said they'll have to use a dental analysis in order to identify who died. They are also trying to determine the cause of death. Police said they are still investigating the fire as "suspicious" at the Parkside Manor Apartments off Laurel Drive. Arson investigators at the scene Tuesday night said they couldn't tell what was used to start the fire.

Detectives with the Salinas Police Department along with arson investigators combed the crime scene at Parkside apartment complex for evidence Tuesday night, talking to witnesses and neighbors.

Detectives could not say if the victim was a male or female.

It's also not immediately clear what type of car was burned. Local authorities say the fire somehow began inside the car with the windows rolled up. Those windows eventually were blown out during the fire. Detectives are not ruling out suicide, but say it would rare.

Witnesses saw a huge ball of fire as crews arrived on scene.