Alexander C. Kavanowski, 25, of Avondale, has been identified as the victim of a March 24 assault that the Cook County medical examiner has now ruled a homicide. Officials said he died from blunt head trauma after he was found near the intersection of Belmont and Harding avenues and later pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon.
Autopsy finds blunt head trauma
An autopsy by the Cook County Medical Examiner determined that Kavanowski died from blunt head trauma and classified the case as a homicide, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The report notes the assault occurred on March 24 and lists his time of death as 3:31 p.m. on Saturday.
Scene details and investigation
According to reporting by CWBChicago, a passerby spotted Kavanowski bleeding and lying face-down near Belmont and Harding at about 3:15 a.m. on March 24 and called 911. Chicago Fire Department medics took him to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he later died, sources told the outlet. That report also cited a source who said investigators are looking into whether a dispute outside a nearby bar may have spilled into the street and turned violent. No arrests had been announced as of that story.
Where this fits in citywide trends
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office recently released preliminary data for 2025 that shows a significant drop in homicides countywide, with 541 preliminary homicides recorded in 2025, including 426 in the City of Chicago. The numbers provide a backdrop that highlights how each case, including Kavanowski's, stands out as a relatively rare but serious incident that still sends shockwaves through families and neighborhoods.
What investigators say and next steps
Chicago police had no additional information to release about the attack, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, and investigators are continuing to search for witnesses or tips. Authorities have not announced any suspects or charges. The medical examiner's homicide ruling will be folded into the investigative file as detectives work to identify anyone who might know what happened in the early morning hours near Belmont and Harding.
