Hammonton police and firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle fire on a residential street shortly after 3:15 a.m. Wednesday.
After extinguishing the fire, they discovered human remains in the back seat, burned beyond recognition.
The victim has not been identified. Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel said an autopsy found the victim had suffered blunt force trauma to the head.
Housel said investigators would like to speak to anyone who might have seen the vehicle, a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, before the fire.