The Peoria County Coroner said the death of man who found dead following a garage fire on Wednesday is being investigated as a homicide.
Corner Jamie Harwood said an autopsy identified the victim as 68-year-old Jimmy L. Steele. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9 a.m.
Crews were called to the garage in an alley behind a residence in the 1200 block of NE Perry Street in North Valley.
Harwood said autopsy results show Steele suffered strangulation and “multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.” The coroner said Steele was deceased before the fire, which was extinguished in about 10 minutes by Peoria fire crews.
Peoria Police have not provided any additional information.
Harwood said the case remains under investigation by the Peoria Police Department, the Peoria Fire Department, and the Peoria County Coroner's Office.
