Autopsy pending on body of man found burned in Altadena

An autopsy was pending Monday on the body of a man found burned on a sidewalk in Altadena.

A passerby was walking in the 2600 block of N. Windsor Drive around 6 a.m. Sunday when he saw something burning on the sidewalk, officials said. As he got closer, he realized the burning object was a human body and called 911, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"The only person we have is the 911 caller who was passing through the area and stated that they saw something that was burning, thinking it was trash," said Lt. Matthew Burson "But upon closer examination, they noticed it was a person, in fact, that was burning."

Sheriff's investigators arrived and found the burned man curled in a fetal position, officials said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities said the body was burned beyond recognition.

Dental records or DNA will be used to identify the victim, officials said.

People who live nearby told KTLA-TV they were shocked at the discovery.

"I've never seen something like this happen before," Helen Walker said. "It's really scary."

Officials have not released any further information regarding the man's death, though they have said they are investigating a red sedan that was parked near the body.

Anyone with information is asked to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's homicide bureau at 323-890-5500.

ALSO:

About 100,000 cyclists and pedestrians participate in Ciclavia

Man rappels down Marina del Rey high-rise, breaks into condo

Search continues for man who jumped from Redondo Beach Pier

-- KTLA-TV