Authorities have identified the body found burning along a roadside in Hazleton on Sunday morning as that of a missing woman from Schuylkill County.
The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Jessica Lockwood of Nuremberg, who had recently been reported missing. Her remains were discovered just after 7 a.m. on Club 40 Road after the Hazleton City Fire Department responded to a call for what was believed to be a burning mannequin. Upon arrival, firefighters determined the burning object was, in fact, human remains.
On Tuesday, an autopsy confirmed Lockwood died from blunt force trauma and a gunshot wound. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Hazleton City Police and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office are now actively investigating the case. As part of the investigation, police searched a residence along Muir Road on Sunday afternoon that they say is connected to the case.
Authorities have not announced any arrests, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Hazleton City detectives by calling the tip line at (570) 450-2080 or by submitting a tip through the department’s Crimewatch page at https://luzerne.crimewatchpa.com/hazletonpd/262856/incidents/burning-body-club-40-road.
REDACTION: It was originally reported that Lockwood was from Frackville. That was incorrect.