Death of 72-year-old James Jefferies after domestic fight in Homan Square now ruled a homicide

David Struett — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:16:15 -0500

The death of a 72-year-old James L. Jefferies, who died after a domestic fight nearly three months ago at his West Side Homan Square home, has been ruled a homicide.

About 9:50 p.m. July 12, Jefferies was involved in a fight in the 3900 block of West Arthington, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

A 61-year-old man struck Jefferies several times in the head, and he suffered a laceration to the eye and bruising to the face, police said.

He refused medical attention, but about 40 minutes later, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at 10:29 p.m., police said.

An autopsy at the time didn’t rule on cause and manner of death, with results pending further studies, the medical examiner’s office said. His cause of death has since been determined to be heart disease, with asthma and physical stress from the struggle listed as contributing factors. His death was ruled a homicide.

No one was in custody as of Tuesday afternoon as Area North detectives investigate.

—Chicago Sun-Times Wire

James L. Jefferies | Homicide Watch Chicago

Death of 72-year-old James Jefferies after domestic fight in Homan Square now ruled a homicide