Police Suspect Homicide After Woman Found Dead In Harvey House Fire
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police in south suburban Harvey have opened a homicide investigation, after a woman was found dead in a house fire early Wednesday.
Firefighters responded to the house fire near 148th and Leavitt around 4 a.m., city spokesman Sean Howard said.
A woman in her 60s was found dead in a rear bedroom of the home. Howard said she had suffered blunt force trauma, and possibly a gunshot wound to the head.
"The victim has lived here for a long time, possibly three decades; was seen yesterday walking around, but there was no obvious signs of anything that may have put her in any danger," Howard said.
Neighbor Montrell Taylor said "it's really surprising to see that lady gone and dead."
"I see her every day," Taylor said. "She's very nice, she don't bother anybody."
Howard said police are questioning someone he calls "a person of interest."
"We now have classified this as a homicide investigation. We think it's a possible domestic situation. We believe that, for now, the offender knew the victim, and vice versa," Howard said.
The fire was extinguished in about an hour.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office was assisting Harvey police investigate.