Murder probe after man's body found in burnt out car

Dental records and DNA will be needed to identify a man whose body was found in a burnt out car on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Homicide detectives say the death at a reserve in Eumemmerring shortly before midnight on Thursday is suspicious.

Detective Inspector Stuart Bailey said they found the unidentified body after a blaze which engulfed a red Commodore was extinguished.

"Forensically, it indicates we're dealing with a homicide here," he told ABC.

The car was found just a short distance from a children's playground.

Detective Sergeant Bailey said the deceased would not be identified today.

"We're really going to rely on dental and DNA records to identify this person given the nature of the injuries at this point in time, given how badly he's been burned," he told reporters.

"The only chances are perhaps if his hands haven't been totally burned, we may be able to get a fingerprint."

He confirmed the owner of the car has been identified but yet to be seen.

"The owner of the car is a 40-year-old Asian man,” he said.

“He is known to police and has a history of drug involvement.

"We are not sure at this point in time whether the owner of the car is the deceased person."

The body was found in the back seat when Country Fire Authority firefighters arrived to put out the blaze.

"It is a shocking crime and it would have been extremely distressing for the CFA members getting here late last night to extinguish the fire and find the deceased male in the car."

It is unclear when the person died, whether before or after the fire.

Some passers-by have been able to provide details about what happened.

"Those details were there was a car that drove in here, which was a white hatch," Det Sgt Bailey said.

"We've identified that hatch and the person.

“They just saw the car on fire and drove into the area.

"We're currently getting a statement from that person."

Morning news break – March 27