Police: Body in burned car identified

The 50-year-old man found dead in a burned car near San Diego Creek in Irvine last week may have committed suicide, police said.

The coroner is conducting toxicology tests on the man identified as Michael Richard Timme of Irvine and attempting to determine the cause of death. The process could take several weeks, said Lt. Julia Engen, spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department.

“We’re investigating the possibility of a suicide,” she said.

She added that police don’t suspect foul play.

A jogger found the body about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday near Michelson Drive and Harvard Avenue when he spotted a car partially submerged in the waterway, police said in a news release. The car did not appear to be involved in a collision.

Riparian View, a small access road used for the Michelson Water Reclamation Plant and nearby wildlife sanctuary, is the only way to reach the portion of San Diego Creek where the car was found.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities at (949) 724-7000.

— Hannah Fry

@HannahFryTCN