Person found dead in burning car in Joliet was shot in head

A man found dead early Thursday in the trunk of a burning car with a gunshot wound to the head near southwest suburban Joliet has been identified.

About midnight, authorities were called to a car fire near Patterson Road and Brandon Road in unincorporated Joliet, according to a statement from the Will County sheriff’s office.

After the East Joliet Fire Department extinguished the blaze, firefighters discovered a body burnt beyond recognition in the trunk of the rented Dodge Charger, according to the sheriff’s office.

Using dental records, the Will County coroner’s office identified the man Friday as 31-year-old Aurora resident Joseph M. Jaquez.

An autopsy Thursday revealed the man died of a single gunshot wound to the head and the death is being ruled a homicide.

The sheriff’s office is investigating. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area around midnight should call police at (816) 727-8574.