Update: Deceased Officer, Niles West Alum Died From Gunshot Wound to Head
Skokie native and Niles West High School graduate Peter Michaels was found dead in a wooded area in Antioch on Jan. 10. Authorities are now saying Michaels died from a gunshot wound to the head.
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Peter Michaels died at the young age of 44. The Skokie native became a sergeant with the Waukegan Police Department shortly after graduating Niles West High School in 1987.
On Jan. 10, however, Michaels was found dead in a wooded area in Antioch, or just off North Avenue and Trevor Road. The officer had been missing for several days and a search team of about 120 people looked for Michaels on Thursday. After finding the body, authorities determined that no foul play occurred.
Now, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Michaels died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Lake County Journal. According to the Sun-Times, Michaels was reported missing on Wednesday and was last seen on Jan. 8.
His family became concerned because he left his car keys and cell phone at his home in Tiffany Farms in Antioch, the publication reported.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you of the untimely passing of Sergeant Pete Michaels," Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse told the Sun-Times. "Our deepest condolences go out to the Michaels’ family."
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Longtime Skokie Resident
11:56 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
RIP
Red Sam Rackham
2:41 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Uhh, if "authorities determined that no foul play occurred" then what else could death by a gunshot wound to the head be? Was it suicide? Was his gun found near his body? Did ballistics determine that it was the gun that killed him? Were there powder burns on his hand?
mar
6:20 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
My heart goes out to the Michaels family. RIP Peter Michaels.