The skeleton of a woman has been found in the back of a burnt-out car just hours after two men abducted her from her home, reportedly over an alleged debt.

The skeletal remains of Maria Diana da Silva were found on the back seat of the burnt-out Ford Ka on a road near the Brazilian town of Pocone on the morning of Tuesday, 21st September.

The 34-year-old woman had been kidnapped from her countryside home in the early hours of the same day, and she had been considered missing until her charred remains were later found by local residents, who then called the police.

The burnt-out car is believed to be the same vehicle that was stolen from the rural property by the woman’s two abductors.

Witnesses of the abduction reported the crime to the police, telling them that the perpetrators said it was over an unpaid debt.

They also tied up the victim’s 47-year-old husband, who owns the property, during the assault, and they stole the couple’s Ford Ka along with mobile phones and money.

The victim’s remains were taken for a post-mortem, and from preliminary evidence, the police believe that the woman was already dead or unconscious when the car was set alight.

The police are investigating the crime, and at the time of reporting, the possible identities of the suspects had not been reported, nor had further details of the alleged motive been provided.