ELKHART — The woman whose body was found earlier today outside American Countryside on C.R. 26 has been identified as 45-year-old Debbie McDowell of Elkhart, according to an Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department report.

This case is being investigated as a homicide, the report says. Police are investigating information that indicates a possible link between this case and a body found in the parking lot of the former Poor Tony’s Restuarant, 2210 Franklin St. in Elkhart. According to the report, Elkhart police responded to this location after receiving information that a male there might have had information about the death of McDowell. The man, identified as Ervin K. Howard, 63, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to the report, autopsies will be performed early next week.