Police investigate ‘suspicious’ death in Crystal Lake fire

Crystal Lake police said an autopsy likely will be needed to determine what killed a man found Sunday morning inside his burning home.

Dunn Mitzell, 49, was located about 7:33 a.m. laying on the floor inside his residence on the 1700 block of Moorland Lane. He was the home’s only occupant, police said.

The identity was released by the McHenry County Coroners Office early Monday morning. Officials said an autopsy is scheduled for 11 a.m.

According to police, a McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy first arrived at the scene and discovered what was described as “suspicious circumstances.” Crystal Lake officers arrived and observed from outside a man lying on the floor and smoke inside the house, police said.

Officers went inside in an attempt to remove the man but were unable to reach him because of heat and dense smoke, police said. Firefighters responding to the scene were able to get inside the home, take the man out and attempt to revive him. He later was pronounced dead at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock.

Police will meet with officials at the McHenry County coroner’s office Monday.

“There isn’t an obvious discernible cause of death so an autopsy will likely tell us what it was,” said Cmdr. Dan Dziewior.

A fire found in the basement of the home was quickly extinguished by firefighters. There were no other injuries, officials said.

Crystal Lake police, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the coroner’s office are investigating.