Death of suburban man found in Pilsen ruled homicide

The death of a northwest suburban man found dead in a burning vehicle last month in the Pilsen neighborhood has been ruled a homicide.

Crews responded at 7:48 p.m. Sept. 23 to the fire near 21st and Jefferson, according to police and fire officials.

The body of 43-year-old James D. Gerage was found in the back seat of the SUV once the fire was extinguished, according to fire officials and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Gerage lived in the 100 block of Remington Drive in Barrington Hills.

An autopsy found he died of multiple injuries due to an assault, and his death was ruled a homicide, the medical examiner’s office announced Thursday.

Area Central detectives are investigating.