Body found in burning car near Penn Hills church

PENN HILLS, Pa. — Police and fire crews found a body inside a burning car in Penn Hills early Friday.

They were called to Jackson Alley behind the Second Baptist Church at about 1 a.m.

Homicide detectives told Channel 11 News that the body was found wrapped in a sheet and bound with duct tape in the trunk of the car. Officials confirmed the victim was a man.

Allegheny County homicide detectives went door to door, asking neighbors whether they saw or heard anything, and which cars are usually in the area.

"I've never even seen a car drive back there," Seantae McKinney said.

Neighbors told Channel 11 they did not hear anything out of the ordinary Thursday night, but the area the car was found is almost non-existent to traffic.

“It needs to be lit up more. A lot of unwanted activity goes on up here,” said McKinney.

The medical examiner said he has to rely on medical charts and dental records to identify the victim. He told Channel 11 News that it’s a process that will likely take a few days.

Cox Media Group