Police ID man found in burning vehicle

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Portsmouth police have identified the man found in a burning vehicle in the 400 block of Florida Avenue.

On Feb. 7 around 5:30 a.m., officers and firefighters arrived on the scene to find a Jeep Cherokee engulfed in flames in the alleyway between the 400 blocks of Florida Avenue and Mt. Vernon Avenue.

After firefighters extinguished the fire, the body of 47-year-old James David Gough was found in the rear passenger area of the vehicle.

Police said the vehicle and victim were transported to another location to allow forensic technicians and medical examiners examine the evidence. The body will then be transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.

Gough's sister, Teresa Bowers, said David would have celebrated his 48th birthday on Valentine's Day. She added, "He was a Portsmouth native and painting contractor and had a kind heart.  He loved his family and friends and all who he worked for.  He loved animals, art and music.  His friends and family request that anyone with any information relating to his tragic death contact the Portsmouth Police Department."

The cause of death has not been determined at this time. Portsmouth police spokeswoman Jan Westerbeck said the case is still being treated as a homicide.

Detectives are investigating whether Gough's death is connected to another homicide officers worked the same day on Broad Street.

The friends of Ann Marie Gilkerson , 41, found her unresponsive in a home at 701 Broad Street in the Port Norfolk section of Portsmouth.

According to Westerbeck, when officers arrived, they immediately discovered that this was a homicide.

Gilkerson was pronounced dead by medic units in the house from trauma to the body, according to police.

The investigation is still ongoing.