Man Charged With Murder Months After Body Found In Burning Car

GARDEN GROVE, CA — A 31-year-old man was charged Friday with killing another in Garden Grove and dumping the body, which was found burned in a car in Westminster, according to court records.

Steven Kue was charged with murder, two counts of arson of property, possession of a gun by a felon and car theft, all felonies. He also faces a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a gun causing death.

The body of a man was found about 3 a.m., Sept. 5, inside a burning car located in an Industry Way parking area. Firefighters responded to a blaze, and residents reported hearing an explosion in the area, according to Westminster police.

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters discovered the body while extinguishing the vehicle, they said in a statement. Police detectives and arson investigators responded to the scene to conduct further investigation. The man was "burned beyond recognition," CBS2 reported.

The body appeared to be "in the backseat and a portion of the trunk," according to Westminster police Commander Cameron Knauerhaze. What happened at the scene prior to the fire is under investigation, he said.

The vehicle was reported stolen out of Garden Grove, however it was not known how long the vehicle was in the warehouse area as of this report.

Security Camera footage and witness interview was used during the investigation, the police said.

Kue was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon in the Santa Ana jail courtroom.

Kue pleaded guilty in September 2012 and was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of a gun by a felon, possession of a gun in a school zone and gang activity. He also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 months in prison in August of 2011 for a felony count of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of driving drunk. In June of 2008, Kue pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison for vehicle theft, buying or receiving a stolen vehicle, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of possession of burglary tools.

Read also: Body Discovered Inside Burning Stolen Car: Garden Grove

Shutterstock Photo