Man arrested, charged with arson in connection with body found in burning car

A man has been arrested and charged with arson after the discovery of a body inside a burning vehicle this morning.

Emergency services were called to a Manurewa address around 3 a.m., where they found the body of a person inside a burning car.

Detective Inspector Chris Barry says the deceased has yet to be identified, but was a key priority for investigators.

“This person will have a family and our priority is to identify the victim and inform his family,” he said.

“There will be a post-mortem exam tomorrow and we have a scene
exam in progress at this point on Alfriston Rd. “

Authorities previously said they were speaking with a man in connection with this matter and that he was assisting officers with their investigations.

This afternoon, Barry said the 31-year-old had been arrested and charged with arson.

He was due to appear this afternoon in Manukau District Court.

He appealed any sightings of a white 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander in the Manurewa area, the car that would later be found burned on the side of the road.

“Police are particularly interested in the movements of the vehicle last night, or in the early hours of this morning in the wider areas of Alfriston and Manurewa,” Barry said.

A motorist discovered the gruesome scene this morning, before they stopped and called emergency services, Barry said.

“The person who reported the burning vehicle found the car, the man immediately stopped and called Fire and Emergency. We are very grateful to that person for doing the right thing,” he said.

The CIB and forensic investigators were at the scene today on Alfriston Rd and were speaking with residents. An investigation of the scene was underway.

As one person was arrested in connection with the investigation, Barry was unable to provide much more information other than saying that detectives were making “good progress” in the investigation.

“I would like to assure the wider communities of Alfriston and Manurewa that
have a team of detectives working diligently on the case, “he said.

“The police believe this is an isolated incident.”

Several detectives in stab-proof vests were seen looking in and around the charred remains of the vehicle, whose windows had been blown out, as well as the roof.

Other offices dressed in high-visibility jackets stood guard inside the cordon and not far from where a blue tent had been set up.

The vehicle had run off the road and into a nearby bush.

Right behind him, in the middle of the road, were two pieces of white cloth or possibly a shirt.

The identity of the victim is unknown

Authorities previously said they were working with a man in connection with this matter and that he was assisting officers with their investigations.

Police previously said their priority was to identify the person and find their relatives.

Manukau County Police Detective Inspector Chris Barry said fire crews attended the scene early this morning and extinguished the fire, before the body was discovered inside.

A large cordon is placed while officers continue their examination of the scene.

Alfriston Rd was closed between Mill Rd and Alfriston and motorists were told to look for alternate routes or to expect delays, with detours set.

Local schools, including Alfriston Elementary School and The Gardens Early Childhood Center, remained open; but parents and caregivers were informed of the situation.

Those dropping off students at Alfriston were told to use the alternate parking lot on Mill Rd instead of the main entrance on Alfriston Rd.

Can you help? Anyone with information that can help law enforcement should contact Manukau County Police on 09 261 1321, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.