Charred Body Found in Car Trunk Identified, Victim Died from Strangulation

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Investigators have identified a dead body found in the trunk of a burning car on November 15 in Norman and determined the victim died from asphyxial strangulation.

Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Julian Ramierz Cazarez. Cazarez was reported missing on November 16.

The Medical Examiner's report revealed Cazarez was burnt from head to toe after his body was discovered stuffed in a trunk on a rural road in Northeast Norman. His toes on both feet were even listed as being "charred off."

"It's certainly a very serious case," said Cherokee Ballard, Medical Examiner's Office spokesperson.

Cazarez lived on Southwest 35th and Miller, where the lights at the home remain on, the doors locked, and where neighbors said they were shocked to learn what happened.

"Man, what can I say? Things happen. I don't know what he was into, just poor guy," said neighbor Marcos Ramierz.

The Medical Examiner's office has been desperately looking for clues as to who may have killed Cazarez. Investigators said they are going to great links to break the case by examining the car and the body.

The M.E.'s office said asphyxial strangulation killed Cazarez, meaning blood and oxygen flow was cut off to his head.

"In every investigation that we do when it's a complex situation like this, there may be more things that come out. We don't know," Ballard said.

Investigators would not comment on the possibility of any suspects. Norman Police said they expect more information to be released Friday.

Anyone with information on this case should call Norman Crime Stoppers at 405-366-7867.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More: Norman Police Investigate Body Found in Trunk of Car as Homicide