Body found in car at Minneapolis towing lot

Police say the death is a possible homicide.

A body was found in a car at Wrecker Services, Monday, May 20, 2013. (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES � eflores@startribune.com
A car towed from Brooklyn Park with a body inside drew authorities late Monday morning to a wrecker lot near downtown Minneapolis in what authorities are characterizing as “a possible homicide.” (Dml -/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A car towed from a Brooklyn Park retail parking lot with a body inside drew authorities late Monday morning to a wrecker lot near downtown Minneapolis in what authorities are characterizing as "a possible homicide."

A vehicle from the Hennepin County medical examiner's office was called to Wrecker Services at Glenwood and Lyndale Avenues. Officials were there scrutinizing the car, a gold Lexus with its trunk open.

A body bag was loaded onto a gurney and placed into the medical examiner's vehicle, which then pulled out of the lot.

There is no immediate word on the identity of the body or the circumstances behind the death.

A woman who owned the car showed documents to the Star Tribune and said she sold the vehicle in January to a man who does detailing work. The man said he intended to fix it up for his girlfriend, according to the woman.

The woman added that she received a letter from the towing service that said the car had been towed on April 11 from a parking lot near Brooklyn Boulevard and West Broadway for a strip mall that includes a Rainbow Foods.

The man who bought the car, Shane James, said he worked on the car and then sold it.

"How come nobody called me about it before now?" James said.

He said he replaced the seats before selling it. He couldn't immediately recall who bought the car, and his records of the sale were at a different location, he said.

The body was found after workers at the lot opened the trunk "due to an odor," said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lisa Kiava.

Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Todd Milburn said it's too soon in the investigation for him to say more about the case at this time.

Star Tribune staff writer C.J. contributed to this report.

matt.mckinney@startribune.com • 612-673-7329

A body was found in a car at Wrecker Services, Monday, May 20, 2013. (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com
Authorities have not yet provided an identity for the body found Monday in the trunk of this gold Lexus parked at Wrecker Services at Glenwood and Lyndale Avenues in Minneapolis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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Nicole Norfleet covers the fast-paced retail scene including industry giants Target and Best Buy. She previously covered commercial real estate and professional services.

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Matt McKinney writes about his hometown of Stillwater and the rest of Washington County for the Star Tribune's suburbs team. 

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