Widow wants justice for man found dead inside burned car

Body of Darren Butler found inside car at Bicentennial Park in North Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office detectives were working Wednesday night to get the family of a 27-year-old father found dead inside a burned car some answers.

The body of Darren Butler was found inside the burned out Pontiac G6 early Tuesday. It was parked at Bicentennial Park in North Lauderdale.

LaShawna Rutledge, his sister, said he left behind a baby girl. Rutledge said Butler's daughter "was his reason for everything." She said he didn't have enemies.

"He had nothing but love, and that's all he gave everywhere," Rutledge said. 

Laterra Anthony, his daughter's mother, had a message for the killer.

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Broward Sheriff's Office deputies were called to a vehicle fire at Bicentennial Park in North Lauderdale about 5 a.m. Tuesday.

"He didn't deserve what happened to him, and you need to turn yourself in and bring justice to my daughter and my family," Anthony said.

Butler's death is being investigated as a homicide, but detectives haven't said how he died.

Detectives were asking anyone with information to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.