County and state investigators are currently working to confirm the identity of a body found in a burned car earlier today in Escambia County and to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire.
At 7:11 AM this morning a call was received by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reporting a burned car, however, the caller was unable to give a specific location. At 10:30 AM a second caller reported a burned car at which time Escambia County deputies were able to locate the scene on Murray Branch Road near Flomaton. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies also discovered the remains of one victim inside the remains of a 1990 Chevrolet Caprice.
Further investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshals Office revealed the car belonged to Gregory Lewis Lawson, 38 year old former Atmore resident. At the present time investigators believe the body to be that of Mr. Lawson.
The body has been turned over to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy, while investigators work to determine how the fire started and when it occurred.
Anyone having seen the car parked on Murray Branch Road within the past twenty-four hours or who saw the car burning prior to 7:00 AM Wednesday should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or the State Fire Marshals Office at 334-241-4166.