Body discovered in Birdsnest car fire

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Chesapeake Field Office is investigating an unattended death in Northampton County.

At 8:47 a.m. Wednesday (May 15, 2024), Virginia State Police was notified of a vehicle fire on the southbound shoulder in the 10100 block of Lankford Highway/Route 13 in the community of Birdsnest. The vehicle, a light blue 2002 Honda Sport with Maryland plates, had been seen around 5 a.m. Wednesday parked at that same location. It wasn’t until shortly before 9 a.m. that the vehicle was seen on fire and law enforcement was notified. Once the flames were extinguished, a body was located in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

The body has been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for examination, autopsy and positive identification.

State police is encouraging anyone who may have seen the vehicle earlier in the morning or any suspicious activity near the vehicle prior to 9 a.m., to please contact us at 804-750-8788 or by dialing #77 on a cell phone or by email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov.