Man found dead in Beaubien Woods identified

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man whose body was found burned Sunday night in a Cook County forest preserve on Chicago's Far South Side has been identified.

The man has been identified to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as 25-year-old Dea Mar Bingham. The Medical Examiner's office ruled that Bingham died from a gunshot wound to his torso and that his death is a homicide.

Two people discovered Bingham's body while walking in the Beaubien Forest Preserve, south of 130th Street and the Bishop Ford Freeway.

Sunday night, authorities were contacted about a fire, but the body was discovered when the fire was put out. Contrary to initial reports, a Cook County sheriff's spokeswoman said the victim's hands did not appear to be bound.

It is unclear whether the victim died in the forest preserve, or whether the body was dumped.

The Beaubien Forest Preserve is a public recreation space featuring nature trails and access to a lake and river.