Police investigate after woman's body found in car in Elizabeth parking lot

ELIZABETH (WABC) -- Authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found inside a car at an Auto Zone parking lot in New Jersey.

The white SUV was found parked in the back lot on Spring Street in Elizabeth, with the body in the driver's seat.

EMT's immediately noticed a chemical odor coming from the car and called Haz-Mat units.

First responders set up a decontamination area as they searched for evidence in the mysterious death.

Investigators are working to determine the woman's identity so they can notify her next of kin. The Union County Medical Examiner's Office will determine her cause of death.

Authorities say the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Maria Fernandes, of Newark, and no foul play is suspected.

Sources say the woman worked multiple jobs and was known to sleep in her car in between, and that the odor coming from car was from gasoline can that had spilled in the back.

The official cause of death is pending toxicology results.