Wilfredo Gines' body was found in the trunk of his car, with what relatives say was severe head trauma. However, his cause of death though is still not known. An autopsy is pending for later Sunday morning.
It was the 31-year-old's relatives who found the 1999 Green Ford Expedition in Hammond, Indiana on Sunday afternoon. Parked at 173rd Street and Alexander, those who live there say Wilfredo Gines' car may have been there since Wednesday, the day he disappeared.
The medical examiner confirmed on Sunday what police told family members on Saturday night. It was Gines' body that was found in the vehicle's trunk.
According to information previously released, Gines left his Chicago Lawn home on Wednesday saying he was headed to a Chicago Heights garage to pick up some tools. The two men Gines visited then told police Gines took the tools and said he was heading to Hammond to get gas.
After his cell phone was pinged in Indiana his relatives took up the search themselves.
Gines is 16th Ward Chicago alderman Joann Thompson's son-in-law. She was also on the scene on Saturday.
In addition to being a fork lift operator, Gines did some part time mechanical work and so relatives say his visit to that garage in Chicago Heights was not unusual, something in fact he did about once a week. Both Chicago and Hammond police are investigating the case which at this point is still being called a death investigation.
