Chicago Ridge Man's Cause of Death 'Undetermined'

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL — The investigation into the death of a Chicago Ridge man, who was found deceased in his home over the summer, has been closed. Police said in a statement that the Cook County Medical Examiner ruled that the “cause of death was undetermined and the manner of death was undetermined.”

The evening of Aug. 31, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive male in the 11000 block of Princess Avenue. There, officers found 62-year-old David Ahnefeld deceased. Chicago Ridge police began investigating the death as a possible “domestic related incident.”

Ahnfeld resided at the single-family home with two siblings. A verbal altercation had apparently taken place with another household member that led to some shoving and a few punches being thrown. Ahnfeld, who was in ailing health, was said to have walked into his bedroom on his own power when the altercation was over. After some time had passed, Ahnfeld was found deceased.

>>> Man Found Dead In Chicago Ridge Home, Death Investigation Underway

A “person of interest” was taken into custody at the scene and interviewed by detectives, but was released without being charged.

“The medical examiner’s report stated that due to numerous significant natural disease processes and minor force injuries, it could not be determined if the domestic altercation and the stress related to it, directly caused David Ahnefeld's death,” police said.
Detectives spoke with the State's Attorney's Office this morning and due to the cause being undetermined, they stated that there would be no charges approved relating to the incident.

“Because he walked away after the altercation, there was no way to determine if the physical altercation caused his death,” said Chief Jim Jarolimek, of the Chicago Ridge Police Department.

Detectives spoke with the Cook County State's Attorney Wednesday morning and due to the cause being undetermined, no charges would be approved relating to the incident.

“If any new evidence is obtained, due to it being a death investigation, the case can be opened again any time in the future,” Jarolimek said.