De Filippis was a union electrician by trade but had been sidelined by an injury and slow economy. His body was found in his third-floor condominium in the 7000-block of West Grand Ave. in Chicago's Montclaire neighborhood.
"He loved you to a fault. He gave you his all. He was fun, he was crazy, he was loud. He's just a really good guy, a really good guy," said Michelle de Filippis Bernstein, victim's sister. She said he was supposed to host the family at Christmas Eve dinner.
Area 5 detectives were back at the condo building looking for any physical clues that might help their investigation Thursday. The 12-unit condo building requires guests be buzzed in. There were no signs of forced entry to de Filippis' condo, which suggests the possibility he may have known his killer.
Robbery does not appear to have been a motive. Items in the apartment were not taken, and two vehicles -- a GMC Denali SUV and a Corvette -- both titled in de Filippis' name, were untouched.
Residents say the building does not have security cameras, and there appear to be no cameras immediately exterior to the building.
His family is at a complete loss and said they know of no enemies nor issues that would bring Mike De Filippis harm.
"I can't believe this is happening. To think that whoever did this is out there celebrating Christmas right now and our lives are falling apart. They have to be found," said Bernstein.
The medical examiner's office said that de Filippis died from multiple stab wounds and multiple blunt force injuries. The time of the attack is not clear. De Filippis' body was found shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday. Third floor condo neighbors who were home that evening said they heard nothing out of the ordinary.
