Authorities are ruling Monday's vehicle fire near the Pierce-Neligh Road a murder-suicide and said the two individuals are believed to be from Northeast Nebraska.
Nebraska State Patrol Lieutenant Dan Wilson said the office has made preliminary identification of the two bodies that were found in a burning 1991 GMC pickup in a bean field just north of the Pierce-Neligh Road. Wilson confirmed Tuesday that the investigation appears to be consistent with a murder-suicide. Wilson said the victims will not be identified until after the autopsies are completed in Sioux City, Iowa. Shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, Pierce Fire and Rescue responded to a vehicle on fire nine miles west and one mile north of Pierce. According to Lt. Dan Wilson with the Nebraska State Patrol’s Troop B office in Norfolk, when Pierce County deputies arrived at the fire, they found a vehicle engulfed in flames. “The call came out as a single vehicle out in the middle of a bean field that was fully engulfed in flames. The fire and rescue squads were called out to extinguish the fire and as they were doing so, they noticed what happened to be human remains in the vehicle.” Volunteer firefighters with the Pierce Fire Department worked to extinguish the blaze and upon suppressing the flames, observed human remains in the cab of the pick-up. Lt. Wilson says the investigation is ongoing as they attempt to make identifications of the occupant or occupants inside the pickup. “From here at this point in time, what we’ll do is perform autopsies that’ll be done in Sioux City, Iowa in the near future. In conjunction with that, we’re hoping to verify the identity or identities of those inside the vehicle.” “Once we are able to make entry, we will work to identify the remains and determine what caused the vehicle to catch fire.” Pierce County Attorney Verlyn Luebbe, Sheriff Rick Eberhart and Investigators with the Nebraska State patrol are treating the site of the fire as a crime scene. Lt. Wilson adds that the owners of the property near just east of 855 Road and 539 Avenue where the pickup came to its final resting spot were the reporting parties who notified authorities of the fire. The Pierce County Sheriff’s office, Nebraska State Patrol, Pierce Fire Department, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene on Monday afternoon. The investigation continues and no identity or identities have been released at this time. “We have made preliminary identification of the two bodies,” said Investigative Service Lt. Dan Wilson, Troop B-Norfolk. “Our investigation at this point is consistent with a murder-suicide.” The names of the deceased who are believed to be from Northeast Nebraska will not be released until the autopsies are completed. Lt. Wilson said, “At this point, we do not anticipate release of names or additional information before the end of the week”. The Nebraska State Patrol is being assisted in the investigation by the State Fire Marshal, the Pierce County Attorney and Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. News Channel Nebraska contributed to this story. RELATED STORIES Authorities Work To Identify Remains Inside Burning Pickup Police Investigate Suspicious Death Near Pierce-Neligh Road |
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