The bar owner killed in a Schiller Park fire earlier this week died of cranial cerebral injuries, blunt head trauma and assault, according to medical examiner reports.
His death has been ruled a homicide.
Firefighters discovered 67-year-old George Markopolous, owner of the Horse Shoe Inn at 9639 Irving Park Rd., inside the burning building Thursday morning. He was at the foot of the stairs leading to the apartment where he lived above the tavern.
The three-alarm fire broke out around 4 a.m.
About 50 firefighters fought the fire, with crews from Leyden, Elmwood Park, Des Plaines, Stone Park, North Lake, Franklin Park, Hillside, Melrose Park and Franklin Park responding along with Schiller Park.
"When crews got there, there was heavy smoke coming out the front door of the building," according to Schiller Park Fire Chief Tom Deegan, who said the tavern closed at 2 a.m. and the fire call came in about 3:45 a.m.
