RICHMOND, Kan. – A burned body mystery from eastern Kansas appears to be solved
Investigators in Franklin County say they know the identity of a woman found burned in a car near Richmond. They also know how she died.
Police say 39-year-old Lena Roye Mathenthin of Garnett, Kan., was driving home Wednesday, March 4, when she drove into a ditch, became stuck and her exhaust started a grass fire.
The flames spread into the car and she was not able to get out in time.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Department and Richmond Township Fire Department made the discovery around 11:50 p.m. when they responded to reports of a car on fire in the 300 block of Eisenhower Road about two miles west of Richmond.
They arrived to find the vehicle completely burned out and the grass surrounding the car still burning. The fire was extinguished and Mathenthin’s body was found inside the vehicle.
Richmond is about 40 miles south of Lawrence and about a 75 minute drive from Kansas City.
The victim was identified by dental records obtained from her dentist of record in Lawrence.
Authorities say no foul play was determined by the investigation or autopsy.
