Washington County sheriff's deputies are investigating a burned body found in an SUV near Hurricane on Thursday morning.

A rancher saw a red or maroon Kia sport utility vehicle in flames in the Smith's Mesa area about 6 a.m., said Washington County Undersheriff Jake Adams. The rancher left the isolated area and called police at 8:30 a.m.

Foul play has not been ruled. The body is too badly burned to be identified as a man or a woman. Police believe the car was set on fire shortly before the rancher saw it. Officers are sending the body to the state medical examiner in Salt Lake City to determine the cause of death. State fire marshals are investigating whether accelerants were used. Police are checking missing-persons databases.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 435-656-6500.

Lindsay Whitehurst