Car dealer’s family shocked and confused by death in burnt hatchback

The former car dealer’s distraught family says the pain of losing him so horrifically is worsened by not knowing what happened in the lead up to his death, amid reports of gunshots in the area before the fire.

The confused family of a businessman found dead in a torched car insist there is no way he would take his own life and fear he may have been killed.

Vican ‘Victor’ Javian, 56, was found dead in the driver’s seat of a burnt-out Ford hatchback at North Parramatta on Tuesday morning, less than two kilometres from his home.

The former car dealer’s distraught family says the pain of losing him so horrifically is worsened by not knowing what happened in the lead up to his death, amid reports of gunshots in the area before the fire.

Neighbours told police they heard up to three gunshots and a car speeding away shortly before they saw a Ford Fiesta alight.

One thing Mr Javian’s family is certain of is that he would not take his own life, one of the lines of inquiry being probed by police.

Police in North Parramatta where Mr Javian was found inside a Ford Fiesta alight. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

His brother Harry told The Daily Telegraph the much-loved father was looking forward to his son’s wedding in four months time, and had a lot to live for.

“It takes a very strong person to burn yourself like that...you burn your finger and it hurts enough. I just don’t think he could do that,” Harry said.

“We don’t know what happened...we really don’t. The police don’t even know yet,” he added.

Emergency services were called to Webb St at 2.15am following reports a hatchback was on fire. When fire crews extinguished the blaze, they tragically found Mr Javian’s body behind the wheel of the vehicle.

Mr Javian owned and operated car wholesale businesses in Sydney’s west up until a few years ago, and was well-known in the motor trade.

His brother said he did not know of anyone who would want to harm Mr Javian.

“We really don’t know much. We are just waiting for the police to tell us what happened,” Harry said.

Police search the scene at North Parramatta. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Detectives are tracing Mr Javian’s final movements that day, as well as who he was linked to through business dealings. A post mortem examination is expected to be carried out in the next few days to determine if Mr Javian was shot before his death.

At his family’s North Parramatta home on Wednesday, relatives in disbelief comforted each other on the front lawn.

“He was a good man...this is such a shock...I am his brother-in-law,” one man said.

A younger woman who is engaged to Mr Javian’s son was among the distressed people who gathered.

“This happened yesterday...and I’m meant to be getting married in four months,” she said.

Bizarrely, the discovery of Mr Javian’s body came just two hours after skeletal remains were discovered in the back seat of an incinerated car at Waterfall, in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney.

NSW Police said they do not believe the two car fires are linked, and just a shocking coincidence.

Police said the remains in the Waterfall car are yet to be formally identified and have been sent for forensic examination.

“We really don’t know what has occurred and the circumstances leading up to the vehicle fire,” Superintendent Craig Middleton said.

“I have no information to suggest there was foul play involved or it is organised crime related.”