A burned human body was found in the cab of a four-door Chevrolet Colorado truck that had caught fire near the dirt road at Black Fork, located between Stuart Park and Parsons, Thursday afternoon. The incident is being treated as a homicide until authorities determine evidence that proves otherwise. A full investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy J.A. Burns said the truck is owned by someone "local." The victim or vehicle owner's name was not released at press time today. The body has been sent to the state medical examiner's office and dental records will be used to try to identify the person, Burns said. Today, police may find out who was burned in the truck, Burns added. Authorities do not know yet how the truck caught fire.
Around 12:56 p.m., authorities were dispatched to the scene after a hunter who passed the burning truck called 911 to report the fire, Burns said. He arrived at the scene at 1:18 p.m. and members of the Leading Creek Fire Department extinguished the flames. Burns said he knew there was a body in the burning truck prior to the flames being put out.
Behind the yellow police tape Thursday afternoon, Burns, state Fire Marshal Edsel Smith and Randolph County Assistant Coroner Scott Shomo began to examine the vehicle and the surrounding area.
An anthropologist who works with the state medical examiner was called to the scene. Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday, the West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit was in route to the remote area of the county. Randolph County EMS also responded to the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Randolph County Sheriff's Department at 304-636-2100 or the anonymous tip line at 304-636-8477. Burns said the Sheriff's Department is continuing to follow up on leads and plans to conduct interviews.
