Charred Remains Case Ruled Homicide, Victim Shot Before Laurel Car Fire: Police

LAUREL, MD — The Anne Arundel County Police Department on Friday ruled a case involving charred human remains a homicide. Officers were previously investigating it as a suspicious death.

The remains were found earlier this week after a Laurel car fire, authorities said. In their Friday update, police announced that the cause of death was a gunshot wound. This development followed an autopsy from the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.

Officers still don't know the victim's name, age or sex.

Firefighters got a call around midnight Tuesday for the car blaze near Brock Bridge Road and Tribeca Trail. First responders said they spotted the car engulfed in flames in a field about 100 yards off the roadway.

After extinguishing the fire, crews said they found the human remains in the backseat area.

Homicide detectives are still investigating. Police asked anybody with information to call (410) 222-4700.