Police Say Deaths of People Found in Crashed Car, Burning House May Be Linked

The deaths of two people whose bodies were found in a crashed car and a burning house may be linked, police say.

Authorities are continuing to unravel the complicated crime scenes minutes away from each other Tuesday afternoon in Potomac, Maryland.

The body of a man in his 40s was found in the wreckage of a Mercedes sedan that crashed into a tree at the intersection of River Road and Piney Meetinghouse Road. There was a pistol on the seat next to him, sources told News4. 

A short time later, around 2:30 p.m., a fire was reported at a house on Great Elm Drive, a couple of miles away from the crash scene. At that scene, investigators found the body of a woman after putting out a small fire in the garage.

Police suspect the deaths are related and say they don't believe the fire was random.

"Investigators told me they do not believe the death at the home is random. There may have been some association between the [female] victim and the suspect," Capt. Paul Starks with Montgomery County Police said. 

Earlier Tuesday, officers had responded to the home for a vandalism report after someone let out the air of a tire in the driveway.

"It's a tragedy out here," said neighbor David Andrukitis. "We've never had anything like this."

Investigators suspect a connection between the deaths because of the timing and location, but the investigation is continuing. 

U/D. Great Elm Dr, FFs located a deceased victim in garage area, small fire was extinguished, MCP conducting death investigation — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 30, 2014

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington for more on this developing story.