A California woman who befriended a homeless woman and let her sleep in her car told police she didn't know where to turn when the woman unexpectedly died - so she drove the body around for months along with a box of baking soda to hide the smell.

Officers with the Costa Mesa police found the unidentified body on Monday after getting a call about a car partially blocking a driveway, Sergeant Ed Everett told The Associated Press.

When officers arrived, they noticed a stench and saw a leg poking out from a blanket and some clothes, he said.

The partially mummified remains consisted of mostly skin and bones, he said.

An autopsy showed no signs of foul play but police are still investigating the role of the car's driver.