Murdered couple found burned were starting a family

DETROIT (WJBK) - A man and woman were found dead in the backseat of a burning car in Detroit.

The young man's mother shared her heartbreak after losing her son in such a horrific way.

"Anybody out there help, speak up, we need to get these monsters off the street," said Felecia Blanks.

Felecia Blanks' 35-year-old son Rolando Douglas was one of two people found dead in a silver Honda Accord that was set on fire at Seneca and Lambert Saturday afternoon.

"I have no idea (who would do this)," Blanks said. "That's why I am asking please help us."

Also in the vehicle was 21-year-old Ashley Coates. Felecia says she and her son were a couple - and were starting a family of their own.

"They were happy, two happy people," she said. "Ashley was going to have a baby and her little dog Maya was in the car.

"I loved my son and that would've been my grandchild, so I loved that baby too. And I loved Ashley."

Ashley's friends and relatives said she was pursuing a post graduate degree in entertainment law. Rolando's family says he was a devoted father and leaves behind two daughters ages 15 and 12.

Now as two families cope with devastating losses they're desperate to see the person responsible brought to justice.

"Just speak up, that's all I can say," Blanks said.

The medical examiner has not determined yet how Rolando and Ashley died. If you have any information about what happened to them please call Detroit police at (313) 596-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.