Detroit police: Woman left in critical condition after man tried to burn her alive

Woman found naked in middle of street Friday morning on Detroit's west side

DETROIT – A young woman, whose identity has not been released, was listed in critical condition Friday after being found beaten, bloodied, burning and naked in the middle of a remote street on Detroit's west side.

The victim was found just before 7 a.m. on Eaton Street near Myers. Employees at a nearby business saw smoke and heavy fire and when they went to check it out, they discovered a van burning and the woman's body nearby. Witnesses say it appeared the woman was attacked inside the van and then escaped after the vehicle was purposely set on fire.

They say the street is used for illegal dumping and now as one neighbor put it, "Someone is using the street to attack someone's daughter."

Sources tell Local 4 News that the van may belong to the woman's mother. Detroit Police homicide investigators spent hours at the scene looking for clues.

Police have been reviewing security camera footage in hopes of finding an image of the suspect.

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About the Author:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.