No Foul Play Suspected in Body Found in Burned Vehicle in Creek Bed: Update

See the update at the end of this post on police not suspecting found play but suicide.

ORIGINAL POST, NOV. 13, 12:43 P.M.: Investigators from the Irvine Police Department are literally off the beaten path right now, collecting evidence along San Diego Creek from a burned vehicle with a dead person inside.

“Although near a well-traveled intersection, the area itself is concealed from view by natural barriers,” says Lt. Julia Engen, the Irvine Police spokeswoman. “The area of the San Diego Creek where the vehicle was located is only accessible via Riparian View, an access road to the nearby water district and wildlife sanctuary.”

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A statement from Engen adds:

  • The burned vehicle was discovered in the creek bed around 9:20 a.m. today by a jogger in the area of Michelson Drive and Harvard Avenue. “When he approached to check on the vehicle, he could see that there was a deceased occupant inside the vehicle.”
  • So far there is no evidence of a collision.
  • The Orange County Coroner's Office, which is assisting Irvine detectives, has not yet determined the dead person's identity, which won't be released until a next of kin is notified.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 949.724.7000.

UPDATE, NOV. 20, 3:06 P.M.: Irvine Police say they do not suspect foul play behind the body found burned in a car and are investigating the case as a suicide.

Investigators are awaiting toxicology results from the coroner, which can take several weeks.

A positive I.D. of the person is also being awaited.

Email: mc****@oc******.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!

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