WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Washington lobbyist Ashley Turton, the wife of a White House aide, was found dead Monday in a burning vehicle at her home in Washington, authorities said.

Turton was employed by Progress Energy and was married to Daniel Turton, deputy director of legislative affairs in the Obama administration, USA Today reported. They have three children, 4-year-old twin boys and a 2-year-old girl, family friend Brian Wolff told the newspaper.


District of Columbia Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer said firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from a garage at the back of the home when they arrived shortly before 5 a.m. EST and discovered a woman's body inside a sport utility vehicle once they put out the flames.

Piringer said it appeared the SUV had crashed into something and she was unable to get out.

Progress Energy officials confirmed Turton's death, the newspaper said.

"We are just devastated by the news," Progress Energy spokesman Mike Hughes said.

Beverly Fields of the medical examiner's office in Washington said the cause of death had not been determined.