Medical examiner: Hanover Park death a homicide

The death of a man whose body was found behind a Hanover Park strip mall Thursday is now being investigated as a homicide.

The man has been identified as 31-year-old Alexis Roman, but police said he was also known as Fidel Roman, Alex Roman and Guerito.

The Cook County medical examiner's office said Roman died of multiple injuries, mainly to his neck and head.

He had multiple lacerations believed to have been caused by someone wielding a tree branch, said Dr. John Ralston of the medical examiner's office.

Hanover Park police also confirmed later Friday they're treating the death as a homicide investigation.

A major crimes task force vehicle could be seen outside the Hanover Park police, which is very near where the body was found early Thursday behind the El Camino strip mall on Lake Street near Walnut Avenue.

The police have also not confirmed a report from a nearby resident that the dead man was homeless and had been living behind the strip mall.

The medical examiner's office said Roman had no known last address.

Anyone who might have information about the crime is asked to call the police at (630) 372-4426.