Suspect Arrested After Tow Truck Driver Discovers Teenager’s Body in Trunk of Abandoned Car: Police

A man in North Carolina has been arrested after the body of a 19-year-old female was found in the trunk of an abandoned car, according to authorities.

On Jan. 17, a tow truck company was called to move a car that had been left in the parking lot of a private business in Washington, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

The driver towed the vehicle to a local facility, where an employee opened the trunk and discovered the body of the victim, SBI reported.

Officials believe the victim is Amarriah Smith, a student at Elizabeth City State University, pending positive identification from the medical examiner’s office, who will also determine the cause of death.

Investigators said the suspect, 29-year-old Jordan Thomas, reportedly left his vehicle containing Smith’s body in the parking lot, then stole another truck.

Police located the truck at Eastern Carolina University Health Beaufort Hospital, where they also found Thomas.

According to the SBI, Thomas was initially arrested on charges of larceny of a motor vehicle and concealing the death of a person.

He was charged with the murder of Smith, authorities said.

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Detectives believe Smith was killed at a different location, then placed in the car, according to the SBI.

Investigators said they allegedly found evidence at Thomas’ residence, but said it was “unclear at this time if the murder happened there or at another location and the manner in which the victim was murdered.”

Smith and Thomas reportedly knew each other.

The investigation is ongoing.