Violet man found murdered in his burning car in St. Bernard Oct. 30 was shot once to the head; Detectives working on leads; Anyone with information should call S.O. at 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111

Christopher Campbell, 28, of Violet, was shot once to the head before his car was set on fire in eastern St. Bernard Parish the night of Oct. 30, Sheriff James Pohlmann said Friday.

The Sheriff’s Office hasn’t received a full autopsy profile but the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head as Campbell sat in the driver’s seat of his special edition 2004 Ford Mustang, the sheriff said.

Also, he said sheriff’s detectives are working leads in the case involving the victim’s passion for racing cars with others.

“We are wondering if (car racing) had anything to do with this homicide,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said after Campbell was found dead in his burned-out Ford on the shoulder of Louisiana 46 Ext. in eastern St.

Bernard Parish. He said the area where Campbell was found is known for street racing.

“Progress is being made,’’ on the investigation, Sheriff Pohlmann said. A number of people have been questioned in the case but no arrests have been made.

Special fliers from Crimestoppers with Campbell’s photo, the facts of the case and offering of a $2,500 reward for a tip leading to an arrest and indictment have been put out throughout eastern St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Anyone with information about what happened or knows who was involved should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

A passer-by called authorities about 11 p.m. on Oct. 30 to report a vehicle on fire on the shoulder of Louisiana 46 Extension, nearly at the junction of the Florissant/Delacroix highways in easternmost St. Bernard.

A sheriff’s deputy in the area went to the site immediately and the parish Fire Department arrived and extinguished the blaze, which heavily burned the car from the rear forward, officials said.

Campbell’s body was found after the fire was put out and he was identified the next day.