ALTADENA (CBS) — Authorities Sunday were investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man whose body was set ablaze in Altadena.
The deadly find was made about 6 a.m. Sunday.
A news release issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says a passerby spotted a burning object on a sidewalk in the 2600 block of North Windsor Avenue.
Upon closer investigation, deputies say, the passerby realized the object was a body and alerted authorities.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cristy Fajardo, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, said the victim was a black male. Officials told her that the man was burned significantly enough that identifying him will take a while.
Passerby David Jimeno said the man was lying in the fetal position with his feet bound. He first thought he was looking at a mannequin on fire. He showed Fajardo a picture of the body. She described it as too graphic to show on television. Jimeno couldn’t believe his eyes. “I thought it had to be a prank.”
Homicide detectives also said the body was burned making the cause of death hard to determine without further investigation.
A red Mazda parked next to the body was also searched for clues. It was unknown if the car belonged to the deceased.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Sheriff’s homicide at (323) 890-5500.
