By Samiha Khanna
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Copyright 2006 The News and Observer
DURHAM, N.C. — Firefighters called to douse a burning truck in the woods Monday morning made a much more grave discovery when they arrived — the body of a slain man in the back, burned beyond recognition, according to officials with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.
The truck, parked off Massey Chapel Road in South Durham, was found in flames about 7:30 a.m., Maj. Lucy Zastrow said in a news release.
In the back of the truck, firefighters from the Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department found the remains of an adult male, Zastrow said. Officials had not identified the victim as of late Monday.
The details of what happened remained unknown, but it was clear the death was intentional, officials said.
“It’s definitely a homicide,” said Capt. Paul Martin of the Sheriff’s Office.
The crime scene was about 50 yards off the road on a section of the American Tobacco Trail, a path along an old rail corridor that extends more than 20 miles through Durham and into Chatham and Wake counties. The site is close to several new subdivisions being built nearby.
About 14 months ago, investigators with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office were looking at a similarly disturbing scene, less than a mile up the road that lacked clues, too.
Before dawn one morning in August 2005, a motorist discovered the body of Albert Earl Barnes Jr., 26. He appeared to have been dumped on the side of Kentington Drive, which is just north of Massey Chapel Road, after being shot multiple times in the head.
Officials later discovered Barnes’ car miles away in downtown Durham.
Soon after the killing, the office of Gov. Mike Easley announced it would pay $5,000 to anyone who offered information leading to an arrest and conviction in Barnes’ death. No arrests have been made.