MOUNT GREENWOOD — The late Chicago Fire Department paramedic Robert Spoon's death has officially been ruled a suicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner.
The report released Friday afternoon said Spoon, 28, died from a gunshot wound in his head. His body also suffered from "thermal burns," according to the autopsy.
Spoon was found in the basement of a burning house around 3:30 p.m. Thursday at 11417 S. St. Louis Ave. in Mount Greenwood. He worked as a paramedic for 2½ years and with the fire department in south suburban Hometown for 10 years, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
A neighbor said Spoon was renting the house from a friend. He moved into the newly renovated home about five months ago, said Bob Hoggatt, who lives just south of the single-family home that was gutted in the fire.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe effort was also launched Friday, asking for $15,000 for Spoon's funeral expenses. As of early Monday morning, $17,230 had been raised — exceeding the goal.
Spoon's "drive and dedication for his job and for being an amazing father to his 2-year-old son, were just a few of his most admirable traits," said the online fundraiser from the Spoon family.
