Violet man found murdered in the remains of his burning Ford Mustang on side of Louisiana 46 Ext. in eastern St. Bernard; Anyone with information should call 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111

Christopher Campbell’s passion for cars, including racing them with others, may have cost him his life.

The 28-year-old, who lived in Violet, was found dead late Tuesday night, Oct. 30, in the drivers’ seat of his special edition 2004 Ford Mustang that had been burned-out on the shoulder of Louisiana 46 Ext. in eastern St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“We’re absolutely investigating this as a homicide,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, but a cause of death hasn’t been disclosed.

“This homicide is odd, very odd,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Campbell worked at several car body shops as a body and fender specialist and spent much of his off time working on cars and racing them, often with groups of fellow car enthusiasts, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He said Campbell had no criminal record and didn’t seem to run with a bad group.

But the area in eastern St. Bernard where Campbell’s 2004 special edition Ford Mustang was found on fire about 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Oct. 30, with him dead in the driver’s seat, “is known for street racing’’ by groups, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“We are wondering if (car racing) had anything to do with this homicide,’’ the sheriff said.

There are no known motives at this time, he said.

Anyone with information about what may have happened or knows if anyone else was involved should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 and they may be eligible for a reward up to $2,500 if an arrest is 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, will be put out throughout eastern St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

A passer-by called authorities 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, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

An autopsy was performed by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, which St. Bernard Parish contracts with.

It was the second homicide of the year in St. Bernard Parish.