Arrest made in body found in trunk of burned car

Investigators say Hiram Gonzalez-Morales had burns on body

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An arrest has been made in connection with a body found inside the trunk of a burned car earlier this month.

Hiram Gonzalez-Morales, 43, of Lake Worth, was arrested Tuesday on a murder charge, Local 10 has learned.

Gonzalez-Morales and Crestony Colin, 18, of West Palm Beach, were involved in a drug deal just before Colin was shot and killed, Broward Sheriff's Office investigators said.

The discovery was made Feb. 10 after firefighters driving along U.S. Highway 27 saw smoke and followed it to Southwest 26th Street, where they found a burning car. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found a body in the trunk.

Investigators said they were able to link Gonzalez-Morales to the killing by the charred rental car, witnesses who had seen the suspect and victim together and cellphone records that showed he was in the Weston area at the time.

"And (investigators) were able to determine you had severe burns on both of your legs from your ankles to above your calf," Judge John Hurley told Gonzalez-Morales in bond court.