Death investigation underway after body found among ‘multiple burning vehicles’ in Cowlitz County

PORTLAND, Oregon (COIN) — Cowlitz County authorities are trying to reconstruct a death after a body was found among several burning cars early Wednesday morning.

At 3:33 a.m., a 911 caller reported a fire in the 700 block of Slightly Road in Toutle, Washington. Cowlitz County Fire District 3 initially responded and “found several vehicles on fire,” officials said.

After firefighters extinguished the fire, they discovered a body in one of the cars. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office launched a death investigation.

“Sheriff’s Office investigators were able to determine that the occupied vehicle, a
“The truck was parked above other vehicles,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. “The truck appeared to have rolled down the hill and then collided with other parked vehicles. It is believed that a fire broke out near the engine compartment, causing severe damage to several vehicles.”

Although investigators have presumptively identified the person, they are still waiting for official identification from the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. Officials said they are also awaiting toxicology and autopsy results.