NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a male subject who may have committed a murder as well as a Eureka man who is missing.

Lt. Shannon Barney said that shortly before 1:15 p.m. Saturday a citizen reported a vehicle fire at mile marker 100 on north Highway 1, just south of the town of Leggett.

The citizen reported seeing an adult male, possibly in his 50s, wearing a white jumpsuit and heavy logging-style boots fleeing the scene. Barney said the witness indicated the man's legs appear to be on fire as he was last seen running onto a private gated logging road to the southeast of Highway 1.

Personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Leggett Valley Fire Department and Cal Fire responded to the scene to extinguish the fire and discovered a deceased male inside the vehicle, which Barney said was a van.

Barney said emergency personnel saw what appeared to be numerous bullet holes in the side of the van and a gun was located on the ground nearby.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office initiated a criminal investigation into a possible homicide based upon witness statements and evidence located at the scene. Barney said the Mendocino County Inter-agency SWAT Team was requested to assist with a search of the nearby logging roads where the man in the jumpsuit was last seen.

A search of the area was conducted but the subject was not located. Barney described the individual as a white male, in his 50s, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. The man may have suffered burns to his legs and hands, and may have singed hair.

The burned vehicle, a 2004 White Ford Econoline Van (California Lic. #8Y79772), was registered to 58-year-old Frank Pinckney of Eureka, Barney said.

Barney said the vehicle is a utility van with a lift gate on the rear and a large mirror attached to the back door.

He said Pinckney is missing and family members are concerned for his well being.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in the case, Barney said.

Anyone with information related to the suspect or anyone who might have seen Frank Pinckney or his vehicle in the past several days is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Communications Center at 707-463-4086 or the Sheriff's Tip Line at 707-234-2100.