Beyond the hedges that separate Fleet Drive from Fleet Industrial Park, a car containing a body burned beyond recognition was discovered Wednesday, March 31, in a grove of trees just off the tracks of the Franconia-Springfield Metro line. After an autopsy, the body was identified as that of Sean E. Burke, 35, of the 6600 block of Custer Street in Springfield, police said.
According to Fairfax County police, the fire was discovered about 11:30 p.m. by citizens in the area. When the fire department arrived, it found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. After putting the fire out, Burke's body was discovered in the front seat of the vehicle. The age of the body could not be immediately determined, but the following day, an autopsy was completed, according to officer Bud Walker, a police spokesperson.
"We have completed the autopsy, and nothing suspicious was found," Walker said. "They ruled it accidental."
The industrial park has some isolated areas, and workers have arrived in the morning to find people sleeping in cars, unidentified cars in reserved parking places, and evidence that work was performed on personal vehicles, according to one business owner on the lot. He chose not to give his name. It is located in the Franconia District Station area, and Walker said it's part of the police patrol in that area.
"We do normal patrolling. Obviously we can't be there all the time," Walker said.
Fairfax County Fire marshals are investigating the issue as well as the Fairfax County Crash Reconstruction Unit. The death is suspicious, and the investigation is continuing, according to police.