WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police identified the woman who was found shot in a torched vehicle Friday morning in West Bloomfield Township.
Diana Pesserl, 31, of West Bloomfield, was a mother and resident of West Bloomfield. Her child is 7 years old.
Authorities responded to a vehicle fire at about 1:30 a.m. behind Pine Lake Elementary School on West Long Lake Road, between Orchard Lake and Middlebelt roads. Once the fire was extinguished, police found human remains inside the car. An autopsy was conducted and dental records were needed to make a positive identification.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office said Pesserl died of a single gunshot wound to her abdomen.
Police followed tire tracks up the path behind the school to a home on Shore Crest Drive just three tenths of a mile from Pesserl's home.
Two young men were taken in for questioning -- a 19-year-old from West Bloomfield and an 18-year-old from Detroit. Â
Six gas cans were removed from the home.
People coming and going from the home Friday were angry as police searched the house.
One of the teens was released, while the other was held on an unrelated open felony warrant out of Detroit for carjacking.
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Burned car just removed from crime scene. Female victim still not identified. Should happen early today. #local4 pic.twitter.com/4IKHRNbLNq
— Nick Monacelli (@nickmonacelli) December 9, 2016
As police were responding to the burning car, an officer spotted both teens at the Orchard Lake boat ramp. Both teens were identified at that time, but police didn't know they might be connected to the body and the car.
Oakland County's dive team searched the lake for evidence.
Bloomfield Hills School District sent out the following letter:
"As you may or may not know, in the early morning hours of December 9, 2016, police and fire were called to a car fire on the Pine Lake property. After extinguishing the fire, they discovered the remains of a woman inside the vehicle.Â
Unfortunately, this incident has had a direct impact on members of the Bloomfield Hills Schools community and their families. Due to the ongoing police investigation, we are not able to release additional details; we appreciate your support, your respect for their privacy, and your help in sharing only information you know to be factual."
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Bloomfield Police Department at 248-975-9200.
Stay with Local 4 and ClickonDetroit.com as more information becomes available.
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