4 Bodies Are Found in Burned-Out Car

CHANNELVIEW, TX -- The report of a car fire in southeast Houston quickly turned into a homicide investigation after firefighters discovered the bodies of four people inside the charred remains of the vehicle.

The car fire was reported about 10:15 a.m. Friday on a dirt road near the 15300 block of Market Street in Channelview.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, which were all on the inside of the small 4-door Kia.

Investigators said firefighters opened the trunk afterward and found two of the four bodies inside.

"They found the bodies of the first female and male in the trunk of the car," Thomas Gilliland with Harris County Sheriff's Office told KPRC.

The bodies of a man and woman were also found in the backseat by homicide investigators, shortly after they arrived.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, but believe all were African-American.

Investigators said the bodies did not appear to have any burn marks, and believe the fire was set to cover up the murders of the four people found inside the car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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