DETROIT – An investigation is underway after two bodies were found burned inside a vehicle on Detroit's east side.
Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee held a public safety announcement Monday afternoon. The chief said Sunday's deaths were related to the deaths of two Detroit women found in a car trunk on Dec. 19 on Promenade Avenue. All four deaths have been ruled homicides.
Godbee said that three of the four women were involved in an adult dating service listed at Backpage.com.
On Sunday, Detroit firefighters responded to a call on a fire at Lannette Street and Queen Street at about 1 a.m. The two bodies were found inside the trunk of a burning Buick LeSabre, which was inside the garage of a home.
The bodies were burned beyond recognition, police said. However, police said the bodies were of a 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman and that the women worked for an escort service listed at Backpage.com.
"We have tentative identifications," Godbee said.
On Dec. 19, 23-year-old Renesha Landers and her 24-year-old cousin, Denesha Hunt, were found dead in the trunk of Landers' 2009 Chrysler 300 parked between abandoned houses on Promenade Avenue near Chalmers Street.
"At this time we are awaiting the medical examiner's final report on both incidents relative to the proximate cause of death of all four individuals," Godbee said. "Three of the four females have a connection to a website titled www.Backpage.com."
The chief said adult dating services are listed on the site. The site is a place to buy and sell things and also has personal ads.
"We implore people to be careful and always let someone know exactly when and where that intend on meeting this person or persons, which should be in a public place," Godbee said. "Our sole purpose is for the public to be cognizance of this website when engaged in adult activities."