No foul play suspected after man found dead in burned car

A man found dead in a burned car in Irvine last week may have committed suicide, police said.

The coroner is conducting toxicology tests and attempting to determine the cause of death. The process could take several weeks, said Lt. Julia Engen, spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department.

“We’re investigating the possibility of a suicide,” she said, adding that police don’t suspect foul play.

A jogger found the body of the man about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday near Michelson Drive and Harvard Avenue when he saw a car partially submerged in the San Diego Creek, according to police. The car did not appear to be involved in a collision.

A small access road named Riparian View that’s used for the Michelson Water Reclamation Plant and nearby wildlife sanctuary is the only way to reach the portion of the San Diego Creek where the jogger found the car.

Police believe they know the identity of the man but are not releasing the name until the coroner identifies him, Engen said.

Anyone with information was encouraged to contact authorities at (949) 724-7000.

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hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN

Hannah Fry writes for Times Community News.