State police are analyzing potential new evidence recovered in their investigation of a Butler woman they say was fatally shot before her body was burned and left in the woods.

A car key and cell phone parts that may have belonged to 26-year-old Melissa Barto were among the items found Thursday in a fire pit outside the Butler duplex of one of the defendants, police said.

Investigators recovered the items while serving a search warrant at the home of James E. Howard-George, 23, on the 400 block of West Wayne Street in the city's Island neighborhood.

Police obtained the warrant earlier in the day after investigators interviewed Howard-George's 18-year-old live-in girlfriend.

“She provided critical and substantial information,” said police Lt. Eric Hermick.

Police allege Barto's boyfriend, Ishemer D. Ramsey, 21, of Lyndora, fatally shot her in his car June 8.

Ramsey, aided by Howard-George and Joshua W. Bowser, 22, of Butler, later set the body on fire before leaving it in rural northern Lawrence County.

All three co-defendants are being held in the Butler County Prison.

“We executed the warrant because we received information that was corroborated by (Howard-George's girlfriend) that Ramsey and (Howard-)George had destroyed evidence of the homicide in the fire pit,” Hermick said.

The girlfriend, whom police did not identify, told investigators that during a birthday party in the back yard of her home the night of June 8, Ramsey and her boyfriend showed up.

Ramsey was carrying a bag containing unknown contents, police said.

“Ramsey put the bag in the pit,” Hermick said, “and burned it up.”

Investigators believe by then, Barto was dead.

Police sifted through the pit and found a key and parts of a cell phone, possibly owned by Barto.

They also turned up other items, including gloves that may have been used in the alleged cover up.

“We also recovered what appears to be remnants of military medals,” Hermick said.

He described the medals as possible “Marine Corps marksman” medals.

Ramsey previously served in the Marine Corps Forces Reserve, authorities said.

The girlfriend told investigators that the fire pit had not been used since June 8.

In the home, according to investigators, police found a pair of unwashed jeans that they suspect Howard-George was wearing the night he helped Ramsey dispose of Barto's body.

The jeans appeared to be “muddy and dirty,” Hermick said.

The police forensic services unit examined the recovered items, authorities said, which will be further analyzed by crime lab technicians.

Hermick characterized Howard-George's girlfriend as “fully cooperating” in the police investigation.

He said no decision has been made if she would be charged in the case.

Ramsey faces a preliminary hearing Aug. 1 on homicide and other charges.

Howard-George on Thursday waived his hearing on charges, including conspiracy to commit homicide. A hearing for Bowser also is set for Aug. 1 on hindering apprehension or prosecution and other charges.

Police on Wednesday charged a fourth defendant, Justin M. Johnson, 19, of Butler, on hindering charges. He is accused of interfering with the investigation by providing a false alibi for Ramsey.

He, too, is in the county prison. His preliminary hearing is set for June 29.