Identity of Man Killed by House Fire Remains Unknown

Police are awaiting DNA test results. Neighbors believe the man to have been Giacomo Ruggirello, who owned a Highwood restaurant.

Posted by Jacob Nelson (Editor), October 10, 2012 at 04:39 pm

The identity of the man who died in a Highland Park house fire in September remains unknown as police await DNA test results, the Highland Park News reports.

At approximately 12:42 a.m. on Sept. 25, Highland Park Fire and Police responded to a fire on thee 1700 block of Midland Avenue in Highland Park. Fire fighters from Highwood, Glencoe, Lake Forest and Northbrook also helped to extinguish the blaze, which spread to the roof next-door.

Once the fire was out, investigators discovered the remains of a body, which has yet to be identified.

Neighbors of the razed house told the Highland Park News the identity of the man in the fire was likely Giacomo Ruggirello, who has owned the Trattoria Giacomo Restaurant in Highwood since 1998.

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Comments + Leave a Comment

JM October 10, 2012 at 04:13 pm

All I can say is I am amazed at some of the stories that are coming out from this. I won't repeat any of them since I have no facts to back them up, but I have to say that it saddens me that so many people continue to tell rumors that they hear. It reminds me of that game telephone from our childhood. I heard the first rumor about a week and a half ago and the other day heard another rumor that had the first rumor I heard in it but so much more added to it. We need to respect this person's family and wait til we know the facts.

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Standards October 11, 2012 at 11:36 am

I've heard same rumours, and as I agree I think the truth needs to be reported when deemed appropriate by the police. If there is any truth in the rumours we as a community need to know what is going on in our towns that are so closely linked and what will be done about it. As if this is true, we all should worry.

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TJ Wheeler October 11, 2012 at 02:08 pm

Is there any information from a preliminary investigation as to how the fire was started? I have not heard any rumors but I am curious to know.

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Anonymous October 11, 2012 at 09:49 pm

Here's a thought, let's allow the police do their job and stop with the rumors, hearsay, etc. Put yourself in the position of the family/friends who are dealing with this who themselves have no answers! As far as the community needing to know anything, I am sorry but when a case is still open and under investigation I don't believe ANY details should be entitled to the public. Facts are what we need and that is what the police dept. is working on. Frankly, I am sure that if your community was at all in danger the police would be taking that into consideration and taking all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the community.

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Dia Morgan January 16, 2013 at 03:27 am

Alright, now I think it's been long enough, I'm sick of rumors and I want to hear answers! What's happening with this? Was it really the mafia?

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Joe January 16, 2013 at 03:40 am

I drive by this house every day. I would like to know what happened too. Now if the boys in blue aren’t to busy giving tickets out for cell phone use maybe solving a murder would be nice…

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