Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The Cook County Medical Examiner on Tuesday defended her office's ruling in the death of Chicago School Board President Michael Scott.

His death was ruled a suicide Monday afternoon, less than 12 hours after his body was found on the banks of the Chicago River. But some were left wondering was it really a suicide and how did officials come to such a quick conclusion?

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports Cook County Medical Examiner Nancy Lynne Jones made a rare public appearance Tuesday to explain the autopsy.

Scott's body was taken to the Stein Institute – home to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office – Monday morning after he was found face down in shallow water near the Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans St.

By mid-afternoon, the medical examiner's office stated unequivocally that Scott had killed himself. But what led the doctor to that quick conclusion?

Jones said the answer is simple.

"Actually the gunshot wounds themselves are the type that we see in suicides, not the type that we see in homicide cases," Jones said. "This is a hard contact-range gunshot wound to the head, which means that the gun was held directly against the head and actually pressed against the head; which is something that we see in suicides."

Jones said two detectives present during the autopsy agreed with the suicide ruling.

Despite that finding, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said Monday that the department will not make a definitive ruling on Scott's death until they finish their investigation.

"We know what the (medical examiner) ruled, but there's still a lot of questions that exist out there," police Supt. Jody Weis said. "We want to make sure we've done a thorough examination before we make a definitive call ourselves. It's early on, this investigation."

On Tuesday, members of the police marine unit returned to the scene to look for more evidence or clues to help them sort through this case.

A shard of red crime scene tape was about the only thing left under the inoperable Kinzie Street railroad bridge to indicate it's still the scene of an active police investigation.

It was there, in the murky waters of the Chicago River, that Scott's body was found around 3:15 a.m. Monday. It's also where medical examiners believe Scott fell after he shot himself in the head.

His Cadillac was nearby, and a .380-caliber handgun was found underneath his body. Sources said no suicide note has been found at the scene or at Scott's home.

Mayor Richard M. Daley, Scott's friend of thirty years, won't speculate on what may have caused him to kill himself.

"It's illness. We don't understand that as yet. It would be a great disservice for all of us to start questioning why he did it or what happened."

Daley and many others close to Scott were shocked at Scott's apparent suicide. Others simply don't believe it.

"I haven't talked to anyone that believes that this was in fact a suicide," said former alderman and WVON radio host Cliff Kelley.

We asked the mayor if he knew of anyone who wanted to hurt or had threatened his old friend.

"No one knows, no one. Only the police would know," Daley said. "They'll do a thorough … a thorough investigation in this. With all, I'll be very frank, with all situations and facts like this, they have to do a thorough investigation for the family's sake."

Police said a gun was found underneath Scott's body. Officials at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were trying to trace it.

Police also said there are several security cameras in the area, attached to buildings across the river from where Scott died. Detectives hope at least one of those cameras captured evidence to explain exactly what happened.

Jones said medical examiners used photographs from the scene to help them make their ruling.

"There is nothing on our examination of the remains to make us think that this is anything but a self-inflicted wound," she said.

Jones said Scott had no defensive wounds of any kind on his body. Toxicology results weren't back yet as of Tuesday.

Jones said that Chicago police actually violated state law by moving Scott's body before they were called.

Police have provided no updates on their investigation on Tuesday.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Editor's Picks

• Real Or Fake?
• Celebs Who Lean To The Right
• Top 10 Smartest And Dumbest Dog Breeds
• World's Most Useless Facts