Who Suffered Death in Burned-Out Vehicle in Gracie Rock?
As police grapple with the double murder up north, there is another homicide that is baffling authorities. Early this morning, a burnt vehicle was found on the George Price Highway. It went up in flames at about two-thirty this morning in Gracie Rock and when police searched the heavily tinted vehicle, they found the charred remains of a yet unidentified person. Now, the registered owner of the Kia Sportage SUV is a Belmopan teacher, who has not been seen or heard from today. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A teacher remains missing tonight and the vehicle she owns is nothing more than a charred metal construction, following a deadly fire sometime after two o’clock this morning. According to police, a Kia Sportage, the subject of a vehicular pursuit along the George Price Highway, was engulfed in flames when they caught up to it near the Gracie Rock junction. When the fire was extinguished, the officers observed the badly burnt skeletal remains of an individual inside the vehicle.
Juanito Cocom
ASP Juanito Cocom, O.C., Ladyville Police
“At about two-thirty a.m. on today’s date, Hattieville police were conducting a vehicle checkpoint in front of the police station on the George Price Highway when a dark in color KIA Sportage SUV diverted the checkpoint; the vehicle was coming from the direction of Belmopan to Belize City and upon seeing the checkpoint it diverted and returned to the direction of Belmopan. As a result, the Hattieville police mobile set chase but however, they could not encounter the vehicle. Shortly after, Hattieville police discovered a vehicle engulfed in flames at mile twenty-one in front of the Hostel. After the fire was extinguished, police observed what appeared to be the charred human remains between the front and the rear passenger seat of the vehicle. The scene was processed, the charred remains of Jane/John Doe awaits analysis.”
The vehicle is registered to Pamela Lino, a resident of Belmopan. She has not been seen or heard from since the accident. Neighbors confirmed to News Five earlier today that several persons have visited her home on Oriole Street but there has been no response. It is uncertain whether the burnt human remains are those of Lino.
ASP Juanito Cocom
“We have already identified the vehicle, but we cannot divulge that information yet.”
Isani Cayetano
“At the scene of the accident or the incident, should I say, was it determined whether or not the vehicle went up in flames as a result of a collision or was there any foul play suspected? What are the circumstances on the ground?”
ASP Juanito Cocom
“Presently I cannot divulge that information as well. we have our hypothesis, however, we are still investigating.”
Despite the trappings of an accident, the matter is being treated as a homicide.
ASP Juanito Cocom
“We are treating it as a homicide for now.”
Reporter
“And the vehicle was registered in Belmopan, Santa Elena…where?”
ASP Juanito Cocom
“As I told you, information pertaining to the vehicle cannot yet be divulged, but as soon as we have more confirmation, we will bring that to you guys.”
Reporter
“Is it a fair conclusion that the diversion back to Belmopan gives rise to great suspicion? And see as though this vehicle was seen on the road and then shortly afterwards it was seen on fire; are those aspects of it give rise to suspicion?”
ASP Juanito Cocom
“Of course it does.”
There are speculations regarding the mysterious circumstances surrounding the incident and police are tonight following all leads. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
