UPDATE: 07-24-20 Volusia Sheriff's Office Major Case detectives say the man found near a burning vehicle in DeLand on Tuesday is 67-year-old James Edward Williams of New Smyrna Beach. Investigators ask anyone who has information about Williams or knows why he was in DeLand to contact them at 386-254-1535.
UPDATE: Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the victim's car, a white 2016 Mercedes SL-550 convertible, traveling between New Smyrna Beach and DeLand this past Tuesday, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to contact the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Call the Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit at (386) 254-1535.
DeLand, FL - Volusia Sheriff's Office Major Case detectives are working to identify the person found deceased on the ground after Volusia County Fire Rescue put out the flames on a burning vehicle found near Bear Paw Lane and Bright Way.
Sheriff’s deputies, Air One, DeLand Police, and multiple units from Volusia County Fire Rescue were called to the scene in a rural DeLand neighborhood around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The vehicle caused surrounding grass to ignite. It was only after the fire was put out, that they found the body.
An autopsy is scheduled today (July 22) which may reveal the person's identity and the cause of death. The State Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to determine the cause of the vehicle fire.
This is an active investigation. Contact the Sheriff's Office if you have any information.
