CLEVELAND — Authorities are investigating a body found in a burning car Friday afternoon in western Rowan County.
A statement from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office did not say whether investigators suspect foul play.
The body has not yet been identified.
The Woodleaf Fire Department responded to a call around 4:20 p.m. today about a vehicle burning in a field in the 300 block of Old U.S. 70. A resident in that area saw smoke and went to investigate, discovering the burning car. The resident called 911.
When Woodleaf firefighters put out the flames, they found a body inside the car and immediately called the Sheriff’s Office.
The agency’s Criminal Investigation Division responded with patrol units and began collecting evidence and establishing leads to identify the body, the statement said.
An incident report identified the car as a 1989 Honda Civic. The report said investigators collected the car’s license plate, a burned wallet, a key chain with a key.
The investigation was continuing Friday night and and autopsy was to be performed on the body, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“Further information as to the identity of the body will be released once Investigators can confirm information developed so far in this incident, and an autopsy can be completed,” the statement said.