Authorities in Los Angeles, USA, have launched investigations into theft of a hearse from St. Anthony’s Church in California which had a woman’s body inside.

The black Lincoln Navigator was stolen during a requiem service for another deceased person.

The driver of the hearse is said to have stepped outside to drop another body before he found the hearse missing.

In a report by ABC News, the police are now pleading with the thief to at least return the body which was set to be interred on Wednesday, February 26.

“Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one and bring back the deceased person and casket inside the Navigator,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department said in a Twitter post.

Authorities have not publicly released the suspect’s name, possible whereabouts for the vehicle, nor the name of the person whose body is inside the SUV.

The church was holding the prayer service which is often held the night before the funeral which was set for Wednesday evening.

However, the church officials said woman’s body that was stolen was not associated with the service. The driver of the hearse had stepped away momentarily to unload another casket at the time of the theft.