Second man charged after West Bloomfield woman found dead, burning in car

A second person has been charged in connection with the death of a West Bloomfield woman. Diana Pesserl's body was found last week in a burning vehicle behind the old Pine Lake Elementary School.

On Friday, Jaylen Stringer, 18, was charged with evidence tampering and accessory after the fact in relation to homicide. He's being held on a $250,000 bond.

Authorities say Stringer was involved with Pesserl's death. Authorities believe his friend, 18-year-old Deshaun Smith, shot Pesserl in the stomach and set her car on fire to cover up their murder.

Investigators say that Smith was visiting when he went outside to smoke a cigarette and had some sort of encounter with Pesserl. It was then, they say, he shot her in the abdomen and set her car on fire behind the school.

Police say that when he returned to his friend's home, he told Stringer what happened.

"Smith left the residence for an unknown reason," Det. Derek Kase with West Bloomfield police has explained. "Smith returned one hour and a half later, and showed Stringer the butt of the firearm in his waist band. He stated 'The (expletive) tried to grab my gun so I had to shoot her.' Stringer directed detectives to heating vents in the family room and Stringer's bedroom where detectives later found a .38 caliber pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition."

Smith has been denied bond, and has been charged with open murder, arson and felony firearm.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.