Burned body ID'd as a U. student

The Medical Examiner's office has identified the badly burned body of a man who Washington County Sheriff officials found in a torched vehicle last week in Hurricane as Zachary Ruble, a 19-year-old University of Utah student from Maysville, Ky.

Although detectives quickly identified Ruble's Kia Sportage at the scene, they took a week to perform forensic tests to conclude what sheriffs suspected and the man's family feared.

A dental record comparison turned out inconclusive, but subsequent DNA testing confirmed Ruble's identity, said Washington County sheriff's detective Nate Abbott.

Detectives have not speculated whether Ruble's death on April 2 was a suicide, homicide or accident.

His is the third body law enforcement officers have found in similar car fires around Utah within the past 25 days.

Lorin Fischer, 28, was found in a burning car in Big Cottonwood Canyon. A few days later, Gregory Nelson, 37, was found at Saltair.

Abbott said the investigation is ongoing, and officials are still working closely with the Office of the Medical Examiner.

— Jacob Hancock