March 13, 2008

Victim Identified as
Mr. Rafael Ramirez Jr. of Chicago

report by Ed Vincent

The victim now has a name and the beginning of a history,
one that will lead back to the killer(s) if lucky.  Rafael Ramirez Jr. was younger than first thought and now the
next phase of the work begins.  Why and who did this,
and where and how. 

We are sorry for his family and friends.

Police Press Release

Dismembered body identified

March 12, 2009

The dismembered body found yesterday in garbage bags in
an Oak Park alley has been identified as that of Rafael Ramirez, Jr., 28, of the 2700 block of N. Nordica Ave., Chicago. Ramirez’s identity was established by various body markings and later confirmed by a close relationship.

“We believe the victim was killed in another location and the body was randomly left in Oak Park,” Police Chief Ricky C. Tanksley said. “Information thus far leads us to believe this
is a gang or drug-related homicide. Our investigation into what occurred is continuing.”

An anonymous tip line has been established by police at 708.434.1636. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.oak-park.us/Police/crime_tips.htm. Police officials are asking those who may know anything about the crime to call with information immediately.

Oak Park Police responded to a call yesterday around 11 a.m. and found the dismembered body in four, large garbage bags on a garage apron on the 1000 block of Clarence Avenue.

Following the discovery, a canvas of the neighborhood established that the bags had been left sometime between
9:30 p.m. Tuesday night and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Investigating officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the call and confirmed the contents of the bags. Police quickly secured and photographed the scene and contacted the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, which then took possession of the remains.

Authority:  Chief Ricky C. Tanksley

report by Ed Vincent

Juan Doe, the still unknown victim of a cruel murder whose body was found in four double thick black bags behind the
garage door of 1024 South Clarence Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois, was in a bad state before someone or some persons
decided to cut him into pieces.  Unnamed sources at the
Cook County Medical examiners office informed us that the
body found had been roughed up in the face area and that
the cause of death was most likely several stab wounds inflicted in the chest.  One knife wound three or more inches
deep into the heart is enough to take a life by itself, this body
had several. 

Juan Doe also had several tatoos on his torso in English.
His age is said to be about 35 which would place him in a
leadership role if this is a gang killing.  It has many of the
marks of gang killing.  He was left in an area where someone
would find him and when they did find him they would see
a man completely naked with the exception of a pair of sox
on his body parts (feet).  Since he was naked he had no pockets of wallet on him, but he did have some expensive
gold chains on his torso.

Previous story on Murder victim

Official Police Press Release

Dismembered body found in garbage bags in Oak Park alley

March 11, 2009

Oak Park Police responding to a call at about 11 a.m., Wed., March 11, found a dismembered body in four, large garbage bags on a garage apron in the 1000 block of Clarence Avenue.

The remains, believed to be that of a Hispanic male in his 30s, have not been identified.

A canvas of the neighborhood after the report established that the bags had been left sometime between 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Investigating officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the call and confirmed the contents of the bags. Police quickly secured and photographed the scene and contacted the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, which took possession of the remains.

Additional information regarding the incident will be released when it becomes available.