CHICAGO, Illinois (July 12, 2026) — Chicago police are investigating the unexplained deaths of two women who were found inside a Bucktown home on Friday afternoon, with authorities awaiting further forensic testing to determine how they died.
The victims have been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Shirley Miller Colon, 36, and Taina Lopez Rios, 40. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene after they were discovered shortly after 3 p.m. inside a residence in the 2300 block of North Leavitt Street on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear. Officials said autopsies conducted on Saturday were inconclusive, with the medical examiner’s office stating that the cause and manner of death will be determined after additional studies, including toxicology and other forensic examinations, are completed.
A death investigation is underway after two women were found dead on the city's Northwest Side on Friday afternoon, Chicago police said. https://t.co/xl9LBrkX6a
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 11, 2026
Chicago Police Department detectives have opened a death investigation, but have not disclosed whether investigators suspect foul play or whether there were any signs of trauma at the scene. No arrests have been announced, and authorities have released few details about the events leading up to the discovery.
Investigators are expected to examine evidence collected from inside the home, interview relatives, neighbors and anyone who may have had recent contact with the women, while awaiting the results of laboratory testing that could help establish what occurred.
The Bucktown neighborhood, located on Chicago’s North Side, is largely residential, and the incident drew the attention of investigators throughout Friday afternoon as police processed the scene.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Chicago Police Department.
The deaths remain under active investigation by the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials said additional information will be released once the pending forensic studies are complete.
