Police identify body found in burned SUV
Investigators at the scene in Nissequogue, where a body was found in a burning vehicle inside the parking lot of Short Beach. (March 6, 2012) Credit: James Carbone
Suffolk County police have identified the body of a woman found in a burning sport utility vehicle earlier this week in Nissequogue.
Police said Thursday that Lauren Fontana, 45, of 505 Stonegate Way in Middle Island, was discovered Tuesday after rescue personnel responded to a 911 call of a vehicle burning in a parking lot at Short Beach Road and Boney Lane about 11:55 a.m.
Nissequogue firefighters and police found Fontana's body after the blaze was extinguished.
Nissequogue Fire Department Chief Steve Schmidt said the vehicle "was fully engulfed when we arrived." Schmidt said eight firefighters with two fire trucks put out the fire in about five minutes.
No other cars or property were threatened by fire, he said, because the car stood alone in the lot at Short Beach.
The cause of death has not been determined and the Arson Squad is assisting in the investigation, said Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick of the Homicide Squad.
Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477, or the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
