Dec. 17, 2003 – Police are continuing their investigation of a charred body found Tuesday morning in a burned-out vehicle on Hess Road.
Investigators could not say Wednesday whether the body, burned beyond recognition, is that of a man or a woman. Authorities have not said whether they believe foul play was involved.
However, the owner of the vehicle has been identified and has provided the police information about who might have been driving it, Sgt. Thomas Hannah, Police Department spokesman, said Wednesday.
Hannah said two people have been reported missing on St. Croix in recent weeks. One, a woman, disappeared from a crisis center on Nov. 20, he said, and the other, a man, was reported missing on Nov. 28.
The vehicle was found by two Hovensa workers disposing of bush cuttings in the area adjacent to the refinery fence who noticed it around 10:24 a.m. Tuesday, Hannah said. A burned-out car is not an unusual sight on St. Croix, Hannah said, "but curiosity got the best of them," and the workers approached the vehicle, looked inside and saw the human remains.
Police were called to the scene and arrived minutes later, he said.
Hannah said police believe the vehicle turned up in the area between 7 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Tuesday, as local business people said it had not been there when they left work on Monday.
If the death is ruled a homicide, it will be the ninth recorded on St. Croix and the 29th in the territory this year.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 778-2211, ext. 4530 or 4582, the Crime Line at 778-4950, or 911.
