Body found in burning car ruled a homicide

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Dekalb County police have declared a body found inside a burned car to be a homicide.

Firefighters were called to Riverlake Way after midnight Saturday when neighbors spotted a burning car in the middle of the street.

Neighbors told FOX 5's Alexa Liacko that they heard crackling and popping sounds and then saw flames from the end of their street.

When firefighters arrived, they quickly extinguished the blaze and made the horrifying discovery of a body in the vehicle.

MORE: Body found inside burning car in DeKalb neighborhood

After an investigation, police have determined the victim was a female who was shot in the head.

A tow truck carried away the minivan's charred framing, leaving behind broken glass, ash and neighbors feeling on edge.

"All of my years living here, I have never seen or heard of any crime going on in this neighborhood," resident Chase Ridley said. "This is unheard-of right here."

Police have not yet released the identity of the victim or whether they believe she was killed inside the car.

If you saw anything suspicious on Riverlake Way around midnight, call DeKalb County police.