Human remains found under Kennedy overpass on Northwest Side identified nearly 14 years later
Jan 29, 2026
Human remains that were found on the Northwest Side under the Interstate-94 overpass at Cicero Avenue in 2012 have been identified nearly 14 years later, Illinois state police announced Thursday. ISP special agents received a DNA sample from a possible relative for comparison purposes and testing fr
om the Cook County medical examiner's office revealed the remains belonged to 64-year-old Ronald M. Risher, state police said. Risher's cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition but cold exposure was believed to be a contributing factor in his death, according to state police. On Feb. 18, 2012, a maintenance employee was doing work in the area when they discovered the remains, officials said. Foul play was not suspected in Risher's death.
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