Body found in burned car in Washoe County, Sheriff's Office seeks public's help

Three people have been identified as "persons of interest" by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in connection to an investigation of human remains found in a burnt vehicle off State Route 447 on Thursday night.

The men have been identified as Shannon Miller, Shawn Miller and Corey Massengale, all from the Silver Spring area of Lyon County.

On July 14, officers from the Pyramid Lake Tribal Fire and Police Departments responded to a vehicle fire about 15 miles north of Nixon. After the fire was extinguished, human remains were discovered in the vehicle. Because the vehicle was located within Washoe County’s jurisdiction, Sheriff’s Office Detectives were notified and are now conducting an investigation.

There was extensive damage caused by the fire but the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division and investigators were able to trace the origin and ownership of the vehicle to Silver Springs.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is currently working with Washoe County Detectives on this investigation.

Volunteers from Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue dedicated numerous hours on Friday and Saturday to assist with an evidence search encompassing a large area near the initial fire scene.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.