Case of NJ-based Pinay found inside burned car baffles authorities

New Jersey authorities remain clueless in connection with the tragic death of a Filipino-American woman, whose charred body was found inside her burnt out car almost a month ago in Watchung, N.J., the Filipino Reporter learned this week.

Watchung Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office have been investigating the single-car accident involving Concepcion "Connie" De Guzman, 51, of Basking Ridge, N.J., who was pronounced dead at the scene on Aug. 15.
 
Concepcion 'Connie' De Guzman in an undated photo. Filipino Reporter photo
Born in Manila, Philippines, De Guzman was a billing manager for the Spine Center in Chatham, N.J. for about only two months until her death.

She was previously a billing manager from Atlantic Imaging in Morristown, N.J., where she worked for over 20 years, according to her obituary.

Somerset County Prosecutors Office Chief of Detectives Timothy Fitzgerald and Watchung Borough Chief of Police Joseph Cina said detectives from the Watchung Borough Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) have investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred in the area of High Tor Drive and Ridge Road.

The Prosecutor’s Office said that on Aug. 15 (Friday) at approximately 1:28 a.m., Watchung Borough police responded to a report about a single car accident.

Upon arriving on the scene, they observed the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Watchung Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, with Watchung Volunteer Rescue Squad assisting.

The car was found to be driven by De Guzman, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Mercy Paramedics from JFK Hospital in Edison, N.J.

De Guzman, who was a Basking Ridge resident for more than 15 years, was driving home when the accident happened, according to her relatives.

Authorities are still unsure what caused the accident and how the vehicle caught fire.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to a phone call and e-mail inquiry from the Reporter.

De Guzman’s remains have been cremated, with her ashes interred at St. Teresa’s Cemetery in Summit, N.J., with funeral arrangements by Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home in Maplewood, N.J.

“Connie was a beautiful soul, with a great smile that I will always remember,” said Frank Cabonilas of Fords, N.J. “She was a great friend loved by all, a special person who touched the lives of many people.”

“Connie was such a beautiful person and I would tell her that almost everyday,” said Alex Starnes of Morristown. “She brought class, warmth and a gleeful glow to our office. She was so full of life and I admired her for that. She will be missed.”

De Guzman left behind her mother Angelica Agustin De Guzman; sisters Angelita Dunner and Florinda Magsakay; brothers Romeo and Victor De Guzman; 11 nieces and nephews; and a grandniece and grandnephew. —Filipino Reporter

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