Mystery Surrounds Death of Woman Found Burned Alive Off Texas Roadside with Butcher's Knife Nearby

Melissa Davis, 33, was found dead by firefighters responding to a grass fire on Sept. 29

A Texas woman was found dead on a roadside under horrific circumstances, and now authorities are searching for answers.

The body of Melissa Davis, 33, was found along a road in Austin, Texas, by firefighters responding to reports of a grass fire around 5 a.m. on Sept. 29, according to a statement from the Austin Police Department.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and her death has been ruled a homicide by police.

According to a search warrant for Davis’ cell phone obtained by KXAN-TV, first responders smelled a “strong odor of accelerant” near her body, and found what appeared to be a lighter. A police K9 also dug up a butcher knife, which police believe “was placed with the decedent in an attempt to destroy the evidence with the fire,” the warrant states.

While medical examiners did not find any trauma to Davis’ body, they believe she was burned alive, KXAN-TV reports, citing the warrant.

As the investigation into her death continues, police are now searching for Davis’ car, per the statement. It is described as a 2016 blue Toyota 4Runner with the Texas license plate number KYV3765.

Davis’ best friend, Ellie Simmons, told local station KVUE that Davis loved art and planned to share her passion across the globe.

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“And we actually had dreams together with one of our other friends to start a hostel in Costa Rica and we would have an art station,” Simmons said, per KVUE. “She painted. She loved art.”

According to her online obituary, Davis received a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of North Texas and a master's degree in international sustainable tourism.

She was remembered as someone who “loved traveling and would fully immerse herself in the local surroundings to try and learn about new cultures and different ways of life,” her obituary states.

Police say the investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made as of Oct. 10.

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