Coroner Identifies Lancaster Man Who Burned to Death
A Lancaster man who allegedly was doused with gasoline, set on fire and burned to death was identified Monday by the Los Angeles County coroner as Mario Ramirez Lozano.
The victim had been identified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as Lozano Marcos Ramirez, a 28-year-old Lancaster shepherd.
Lozano was discovered early Sunday near a stolen pickup truck in a remote area north of Lancaster, close to the Kern County line, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
“We believe he had taken the truck for a joy ride from a nearby ranch,” said Lt. Marilyn Baker of the sheriff’s homicide bureau.
Officials are uncertain who started the fire. “We’re still investigating whether his death was self-inflicted or caused by others,” said Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the coroner.
Baker said Lozano lived in a trailer on a field near the site of the fire, which caused severe burns to 90% of his body. He was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he died Sunday afternoon.
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