2 Arrested After Body Discovered In Burning Car In SW OKC

Oklahoma City police have released the name a man who was found in a burning car in southwest Oklahoma City. 

The release of Richard Pierce's name comes as two people are jailed in connection with his death.

Officials said it happened near Southwest 104th Street and Morgan Road, just before 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning. 

The State Medical Examiner later identified the body as 42-year-old Richard Pierce. Those who live near where the car was found in rural southwest OKC said it was a shocking sight.

“He did not deserve to die like that,” said Pat Breshears, a neighbor. “I don't know what happened, what went down, how this ended up.”

Breshears and her husband were at home when she said she heard what sounded like loud pops and smoke coming from behind the house. After finding the vehicle, her husband dialed 911.

“I didn't go down to it, I stayed in the house and he called me after a little while and he said this is going to take longer than we thought, there's a body in the car,” said Breshears.

“It appears that Mr. Pierce had been killed prior to the vehicle being set on fire,” said MSgt. Gary Knight, with Oklahoma City police. “He has injuries consistent with homicide.”

Leah Shockley said she woke up to sirens and immediately looked out her window.

“We saw the smoke coming up and my first thought was there's a brush fire and I was concerned,” said Shockley, a neighbor.

But after finding out what happened, the Shockley's said it was scary hearing something like that could happen so close to home.

“It's tragic when somebody dies,” said Dwight Shockley. “When they die on or near your property, especially in a way like that it's creepy.”

Investigators were able to identify and track down two suspects, 28-year-old Jonathan Erickson and 27-year-old Kristina Franz. Both were arrested Wednesday at an apartment complex near Northwest 10th Street and Meridian Avenue.

Both suspects were booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a complaint of first degree murder. Investigators said at this time they are still piecing together what led to Pierce's death.