Man found dead in burning car in Skokie

A man who was found dead in a burning car in north suburban Skokie more than a week ago has been identified.

Someone called 911 to report a car fire at 5:24 p.m. Oct 8 in the 9100 block of Lawler Avenue, according to Skokie police.

Officers discovered a car engulfed in flames and firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze, police said.

Thomas Damnitz, 50, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:39 p.m., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Damnitz lived on that block.

An autopsy did not immediately rule on his cause and manner of death pending further studies.

Anyone with information is asked to call Skokie police at (847) 982-5900 or the crime tip hotline at (847) 933-8477.