Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation into the death of a Schuylkill County woman whose body was discovered burning on the side of a road in Hazleton on Sunday morning.
Around 7:00 a.m. on April 27, Hazleton City firefighters responded to a report of what was initially believed to be a mannequin on fire along Club 40 Road near East Broad Street. Upon extinguishing the flames, firefighters realized the object was, in fact, a human body.
Hazleton Police Chief Brian Schoonmaker and Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce confirmed the case is being treated as a suspicious death. The Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, in coordination with the Hazleton Police Department, has opened an active investigation into the incident.
Assisting in the investigation are detectives from the Pennsylvania State Police – Troop N in Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre City Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Acting Luzerne County Coroner Kaitlin Keating has scheduled an autopsy for Tuesday, April 29 at 9:00 a.m. The procedure will be conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Charles Siebert at the Luzerne County Morgue.
Officials say more information will be released as it becomes available and as long as it does not compromise the integrity of the investigation.
No suspects have been named, and authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the identity of the victim pending notification of next of kin.