// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Woman found dead in burning van was pregnant, police say
The body of Samantha Natalie Phythian, 35, was discovered in the vehicle in Prestatyn
A woman found dead in a burning van was pregnant, police have confirmed.
The body of Samantha Natalie Phythian, 35, was discovered in the vehicle in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, on Sunday evening.
On Friday it was revealed in a court hearing that Samantha, from Rhyl, was alive when the fire started.
Thomas Bell, 38, from Wellington Road in Rhyl, appeared in Mold Crown Court charged with murder and was remanded in custody.
The court was told Samantha was known to Bell but he denies setting the vehicle alight.
Thomas Bell is remanded in custody following the hearing at Mold Crown Court
Bell appeared via video link and spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Geraint Walters confirmed that Samantha died as a result of the fire.
He said: "At the time of ignition the person was alive. Someone set the van alight and the person was alive and was killed as a result of the fire."