July 21--Autopsies Monday on the bodies of a woman and three children found dead over the weekend in an East Chatham home were inconclusive, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Latoya Jackson, who would have turned 28 on July 14, was found dead Saturday evening in a home in the 8300 block of South Drexel Avenue along with three boys, according to the medical examiner's office, which said Monday that Jackson has been officially identified. The boys, who family members said were Jackson's sons, Andrew, 11; Cameron, 9; and Cantrell, 5, have not yet been officially identified.
Determination of the cause and manner of death for Jackson is "pending further investigation," according to an office spokesman. Determination of the cause and manner of death for the boys is pending additional tests, he said.
Officials discovered the four bodies about 8:25 p.m. Saturday.
Several people called police, who arrived at the street of brick bungalows and apartment buildings to find the grisly scene.
Police said the woman appeared to have suffered trauma to her head. Investigators also found indications of fire damage inside the home, and the woman looked like she had burns on her body, authorities said.
The woman's body was found facedown inside an enclosed porch, blocking access to a door into the home, according to authorities. The door was locked. Another body was found facedown on the other side of the door, and the other two bodies were faceup in the same room.
The rental house had been partially renovated recently, but many neighbors said they were surprised to learn it was occupied. The family had moved from their longtime home about a mile east, relatives and friends said.
The boys attended Caldwell Elementary Academy at 8546 S. Cregier Ave., according to relatives.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with investigators from the Chicago police and fire departments and the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office, were at the home Sunday.
Many neighbors said they never smelled smoke, saw a fire or heard any commotion inside the residence.
Police were conducting a death investigation.
Tribune reporter Liam Ford contributed.
