Was Death of Highwood Restaurateur Tied to Mob?

The investigation into the death of Highland Park resident and Highwood restaurant owner Giacomo Ruggirello in a suspicious house fire last September continues to uncover more information and spark unconfirmed rumors of possible mob ties.

A story in Thursday's Chicago Tribune reports the investigation has uncovered a missing restaurant safe and a will that may have been finalized by Ruggirello days before his death that disinherited his daughters and left his money to a friend in Italy.

Read the full story here.

Suspicious death

The badly burned body of Giacomo Ruggirello, who owned Trattoria Giacomo in Highwood, was found inside his Highland Park home shortly before 1 a.m. on Sept 25, 2012, Patch reported.

An accelerant may have been used in the fire, according to reports.

Stories that Ruggirello owed people money, along with the condition of his body was when it was discovered, has led to talk of a possible mob connection.

In another odd twist to this intriguing case, the Tribune reported last month that defense attorneys for Steven Mandell, an ex-Chicago cop from Buffalo Grove who is accused in a plot to extort and kill a Chicago real estate mogul, subpoenaed the Highland Park Police Department for its records into Ruggirello's death, suggesting a possible connection.

Related:

Suspicious Death of Highwood Restaurant Owner Resurfaces