Police searching for clues in Mount Prospect murder

The mystery surrounding the stabbing death of a 52-year-old Mount Prospect man had police questioning neighbors on Friday outside his apartment complex.

Jean Wattecamps was found dead inside his third-floor apartment Thursday morning on the 2300 block of Lexington Drive at the Colony Apartments, a multiunit complex off Elmhurst Road.

Police launched into a homicide investigation. The Major Case Assistance Team probed the scene, roping off the Wattecamps' unit with an MCAT trailer parked in front. Mount Prospect police said through a news release there were signs of foul play, but the would not elaborate. The Cook County medical examiner's office Friday confirmed Wattecamps died from multiple stab wounds, and ruled the death as a homicide.

Wattecamps had lived in the Colony since 2004. By neighbors' accounts, Wattecamps was friendly. He enjoyed attending parties held at the pool at the complex. Some described him as nice enough to cook dinner and invite you over. Neighbors said he worked for United Airlines. A United spokeswoman was unable to confirm his employment with the company.

While neighbors report minor incidents at the complex, they added the Colony is relatively quiet and multiethnic. Leonard Morris has lived there for two years, and in Mount Prospect for more than a decade. He joined the chorus line of neighbors expressing shock about the slaying.

"I should have been living here all that time," Morris said of his comfort level with the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (847) 870-5656 or the Crimeline at (847) 870-5649.

• Daily Herald staff writers Lee Filas and Amie Shak contributed to this report

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