Because of the extreme nature of the fire, police remain unsure at this time if any of the victims in the Jeep were dead before the explosion. Mathews confirmed a weapon was not found at the scene of the deaths.

Sheriff Park said Jessop had been separated from his wife and had picked up his children on Wednesday. He had dinner in Salt Lake City that night with his brother. He worked and lived on the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving Ground facility.

Deputies have been speaking with his wife, who was being comforted by family members and clergy. Attempts to reach family members for comment Thursday were unsuccessful.

In February, a man's body was discovered in the back seat of a burning car near the Delle exit in Tooele County. Another man was apparently meant to die in the fire but escaped. He had burns on more than 50 percent of his body.

Tooele County sheriff's deputies believe that case was a murder. There are suspects in that case, but detectives believe they have fled to Mexico.

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Contributing: Ben Winslow

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E-mail: nhale@desnews.com