Man who died in Hawthorn Woods fire Saturday identified

A body recovered from a fire that engulfed and destroyed a home in Hawthorn Woods Saturday has been identified as 73-year-old Sherman Della of Hawthorn Woods, authorities said.

Fire officials said Della’s body was found Sunday in the debris of the home on the 0-100 block of Rosewood Drive as firefighters performed recovery operations and excavation crews removed debris and pumped water out of the home’s basement.

Firefighters who responded to the home around 3:10 p.m. Saturday found a heavily involved fire in the two-story, wood-frame residence, authorities said.

Della’s body was identified through scientific examination, including dental comparison. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday, and results are pending further studies and toxicology testing, including carbon monoxide levels, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said.

The fire remains under investigation by the Hawthorn Woods Police Department, Lake Zurich Fire Department, local fire investigators, and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.