Murder victim's family mourns death

It's not easy growing up without a parent.

Nineteen-year-old Joseph Ziegler, who lost his mother Cynthia seven years ago, knew that as well as anyone.

"He loved his mother very much," said John Barthen, Joseph's uncle and Cynthia's brother. "He had a great relationship with his father too, but it wasn't easy growing up without his mother."

They were a tight-knit family, said Barthen, of Algonquin ,who described his nephew as a well-liked, athletic young man who played football and baseball. In the wake of Cynthia's death, Joseph, his father Jeffrey and sister Rachael persevered. But tragedy struck again on Thursday when the younger Ziegler was found shot to death in the family's Hoffman Estates home.

The Hoffman Estates Police Department continues its investigation into the death of the aspiring law enforcement officer and former Schaumburg High School varsity football player. Following Friday's autopsy, the office of the Cook County Medical Examiner ruled Ziegler's death a homicide, resulting from a gunshot wound to the head.

Meanwhile Ziegler's entire extended family remains in shock as it faces yet another heartache.

"It's devastating," said Barthen.

Visitation for Ziegler takes place from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral Home, 330 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg. Prayers will be said there at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 followed by a Mass at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 820 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Interment will be at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine. For information, call (847) 882-5580. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ziegler Family Fund care of Harris Bank, 590 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.