Chiropractor found dead in burning car in Pontiac

(WJBK) - The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate after a body was found in a burning car behind a closed elementary school in Pontiac earlier this week. 

Authorities have now identified the person found inside as 54-year-old Norman Cotten from Howell. He was a chiropractor with offices in Fowlerville and Commerce Township. 

On Monday, someone called 911 just before 10 a.m. about a car fire behind Webster Elementary School on Huron Street. When the fire was put out, a badly-burned body was found in the red 2008 Cadillac. 

Authorities also found two gas cans in the car, one in the trunk and another flattened one in the backseat. Cotten's wife told police two gas cans are missing from their home. She also told authorities he left their house abruptly that morning, and didn't take his cell phone. 

An autopsy didn't find any signs of trauma on the body, so right now the preliminary cause of death has been ruled to be thermal burns, along with smoke and soot inhalation.

If you believe you saw Cotten or his vehicle that Monday, between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 9:52 a.m., you're asked to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at 248-858-4911. The license plate on his car was STORM24.