Smith County authorities locate vehicle connected to burned body investigation

SMITH COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - The Smith County Sheriff's office located a vehicle Friday night, which they say belongs to a murder victim. The vehicle is connected to burned human remains found early Friday morning off of County Road 371 in Smith County.

The remains have been identified as that of a male in his early 50s, according to Sheriff Larry Smith.

The vehicle, a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser, was found Friday afternoon near Lavender Road, just north of Interstate 20 near Tyler State Park. Sheriff Smith says the Red Springs Volunteer Fire Department discovered the vehicle while responding to a fire. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when Sheriff Smith arrived. Authorities at the scene say no human remains were found inside the burned vehicle.

Sheriff Smith is asking anyone who believes they saw the vehicle in Smith County on Friday to contact the sheriff's department. The vehicle is registered to a white male in Fort Worth, but Smith said he believes it was driven in Smith County all day Friday.

Smith said about five percent of the victim's body found early Friday rolled up in a carpet and set ablaze on County Road 371. Smith says the victim was not reported missing. He spoke with the victim's employer Friday afternoon, but would not release the victim's name. Investigators are still searching for the rest of the victim's body.

Pieces of clothing and personal items were also found in the carpet Friday morning.