Man’s death may be linked to altercation
By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com February 1, 2013 4:06PM
Updated: March 4, 2013 6:39AM
Police are investigating if the injuries a 57-year-old local man reportedly suffered in November in Joliet led to his death Thursday.
On Nov. 30, Richard Pierce was “involved in a physical altercation” with another man inside Jackson Liquors, 110 E. Jackson St., Cmdr. Brian Benton said.
Pierce went to the hospital but later was released, while police were not notified, Benton said.
Pierce allegedly began “acting strange” in the days following the incident and collapsed Dec. 12. He was hospitalized again and later airlifted to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.
Benton said the first time police learned about the incident was Dec. 29 when Pierce’s wife came in to make a report.
“We began an investigation and interviewed witnesses, but were unable to interview (Pierce) as it continued,” Benton said.
No charges were brought at that time.
Pierce reportedly had been in a coma until 5:55 p.m. Thursday when he was pronounced dead at GlenCrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Benton said the investigation is ongoing and detectives expect to examine medical records this week before reviewing the case with the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
