ST. MARYS — Police near Georgia's coast are investigating a deadly fire on a sailboat that's now considered a homicide.

The Brunswick News reports (http://bit.ly/R1TC7p) that a body found on the boat was so badly burned that investigators aren't certain whether the remains are male or female.

Police say the fire happened Monday on the North River in St. Marys. The remains were found on the 37-foot sailboat, Premium Time.

St. Marys police Lt. Shannon Brock says authorities have ruled the fire an arson and the death investigation a homicide.

Police are seeking the whereabouts of three people as they await an autopsy on the remains.

St. Marys is in the far southeast corner of Georgia, just north of the Florida line.