Autopsies inconclusive for two bodies found separately near burning vehicles

A person was found dead in a burning vehicle in Auburn Gresham Friday morning, just hours before a woman was found dead outside of a burning SUV in the same South Side neighborhood.

The first body was found about 5 a.m. in a burning vehicle in the 8400 block of South Gilbert, police said.

Crews extinguished the car blaze and found a person dead in the back seat, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.

The person–whose age and gender had not been identified as of Saturday afternoon–was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Less than two miles away, a woman was found dead outside a burning Kia SUV at 7:45 a.m.

The woman, thought to be between 41 and 50 years old, was found in the 8600 block of South Honore and pronounced dead at the scene at 9:45 a.m., authorities said. She had not been identified as of Saturday afternoon.

Autopsies for both people were inconclusive pending further studies Saturday.

The police Bomb and Arson Unit is investigating both incidents. Police declined to comment Saturday afternoon on whether the incidents were thought to be related.