Suspicious Vehicle Fire Investigation

Los Angeles: LAPD Robbery-Homicide Detectives and LAFD Arson investigators are conducting a joint investigation into an early morning vehicle fire that claimed the life of a woman and injured a man.

On February 28, 2007, at about 1:00 AM, California Highway Patrol officers, along with Los Angeles City firefighters and Los Angles police officers, responded to a report of a vehicle engulfed in flames on the shoulder of the northbound Golden State Freeway, north of the Glendale Freeway. First responders discovered a green 4-door Honda Accord ablaze. A man near the Honda had been burned. He was taken to a local area hospital. Due to the extent of his injuries, he could not be interviewed by authorities.

After the blaze was extinguished, police discovered the badly burned body of a woman in the front seat of the Honda. Due to the extent of her burns, she could not be identified and an autopsy by the Coroner’s Office will attempt to identify her through dental records.

Authorities listed the cause and the type of the fire as suspicious and are treating the investigation as an arson-related murder. A medical examination by the Coroner’s Office will determine if fire was the cause of death, or if the woman had been killed by some other means prior to the fire.

The man was identified as Noel Allen Tuazon, 39, a resident of Los Angeles.

Anyone who may have witnessed the early morning fire is asked to contact Robbery-Homicide detectives at 213-485-2129. On weekends or during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).