Burned body found in southeast Houston woods identified

HOUSTON – Authorities have identified a man whose body was found burned Wednesday in a wooded area in southeast Houston.

The call came in around 7:15 p.m. along the 5700 block of Wenda Street, an isolated area.

The victim, who police identified Friday as 28-year-old Ronald Freeman, of Houston, was dead and still on fire when crews arrived, police said.

"Pretty desolate road. There was nobody around. There is a guy who lives in a trailer pretty close. He advised that he didn't hear anything. We really don't know the cause of death or the victim at this point," said Lt. Larry Crowson, of the Houston Police Department. 

It's unclear whether the victim was killed by the fire or if the fire was an attempt at a cover-up, police said. 

Police said Freeman last contacted family members about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators are working to learn more about this incident.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.