Firefighters who responded to a blaze in a wooded stretch of Forest Park on May 13 made a gruesome discovery.
The still-flaming body of a man was discovered at about 6 a.m. on Mother’s Day, inside Forest Park, fire officials said. The body was located just off a pedestrian walkway on Park Lane South, near 86th Street, officials said.
A resident at an apartment complex opposite the park spotted the blaze and called 911, officials said.
Law enforcement officials ruled the death a possible homicide. Fire marshals and police are continuing their investigation into the death and the cause of the blaze, law enforcement sources said.
Officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy by the city medical examiner to determine the cause of death of the unidentified man.
Police and city fire marshals are urging anyone with information on the cause of the blaze or the death to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The Hotline is offering a $2,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).
—Liz Goff