Man Charged After Girlfriend's Body Found In Burning Minivan

SARASOTA, FL - Detectives charged a Hillsborough County man with murder Thursday after his girlfriend's body was found in a burning minivan, deputies said. Sarasota County detectives charged Michael Clark, 34, of Brandon with murder, arson, tampering with evidence and possession of cocaine. He remains in custody without bond.

The investigation began Oct. 15 when deputies were called to a vehicle fire along I-75 in Osprey. When deputies arrived, they found a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan with the body of a woman inside.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Kristen Kelley, Clark’s girlfriend of several years. The couple have three children.

Clark told deputies he didn’t know how the fire began, how the female died or how he got to Sarasota, deputies said. State investigators with the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations determined the vehicle was intentionally set on fire and a gas can was recovered inside the van. A lighter was found nearby.

The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the cause of death for the victim was homicide caused by blunt force trauma. Detectives determined Clark beat the victim to death before placing her in the back of the van, driving southbound along I-75, and eventually setting the vehicle on fire, according to an arrest report.

Deputies said a small amount of cocaine was recovered from Clark’s clothing. He was transported to the hospital and later released while the investigation continued.

On Thursday, Sarasota detectives, along with members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, arrested Clark and served a search warrant at his home. He was taken into custody and booked into the Orient Road Jail in Tampa.

Image via Shutterstock; 2nd image via Sarasota County Sheriff's Office