Ohio authorities ID body found in burning car

CARDINGTON, Ohio (AP) — Authorities have identified the body found in a burning car in a wooded area in central Ohio.

The Morrow County sheriff’s office said Tuesday that authorities used medical records to identify the body as 76-year-old Patricia Jones of Cardington. Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters found the burning car Monday night near Cardington after a 911 caller reported a vehicle fire around 9 p.m.

Jones’ body was found in the driver’s seat of the 2008 Buick after the fire was extinguished. Her body was burned so badly that authorities couldn’t initially determine the identity or whether it was a man woman.

Sheriff Steve Brenneman said in a statement there was no sign of a gunshot, stab wounds, or blunt force trauma to the body, and there’s no indication of foul play. Jones was the registered owner of the car, he said.

The Columbus Dispatch reported the burning car was found behind the barn and hayfield of Bruce Harris, who called 911. Jones was familiar with the area, but had no connection to Harris or the property, Brenneman told the newspaper.

The exact causes of the fire and of Jones’ death are still being investigated. The state fire marshal’s office and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation are assisting.