Body found burned in rental car near Joliet ID'd

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- A body that was found burned beyond recognition in the trunk of a rental car in unincorporated Joliet Township has been identified.

The Will County sheriff's office has identified the body through dental records as 31-year-old Joseph M. Jaquez of Claim Street, Aurora.

An autopsy revealed Thursday the victim died of a single gunshot wound to the head, the Will County coroner's office said. His death was ruled a homicide.

Sheriff's deputies and East Joliet firefighters responded to a report of a car fire near Patterson and Brandon roads around 12 a.m. Thursday. Upon arrival, they found a 2016 Dodge Charger fully engulfed by flames. Once the fire was out, firefighters found the body in the trunk of the car.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the Will County Sheriff's Office Investigation Division at 816-727-8574.