Man charged with first-degree murder after body found in burning car in Chapel Hill

Gabriel Cortez Peele, 31, was charged with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, armed robbery and conspiracy improper disposal of a body.

Peele is charged in connection to the death of 34-year-old Derek Tyrone Mack of Raleigh.

Chapel Hill police were called to a report of a burning car on Dickens Court around 4 p.m. on April 13. A 9-year-old boy called 911 to report the car and told dispatchers that he was playing with others when they heard "a great big pop sound" and saw the car in the parking lot on fire.

Police said at the time Peele was charged he was being held at Wake County Detention Center on unrelated charges. Peele remains there without bond.