Manuel Sosa, a 53-year-old Hispanic man, was found dead in the basement of his Rockford, Illinois, home on October 1, 2016. The Winnebago County Coroner’s Office identified him and confirmed he died from a gunshot wound. Authorities located Sosa’s body at 2514 Whale Avenue and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office opened an immediate murder investigation; an autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

Police treated the case as a homicide from the start and appealed to the community for help. No arrests or suspects were identified in the initial stages, and public appeals and investigative follow-ups were reported as the investigation continued.

If anyone knew Manuel, was in the area of Whale Avenue on or around October 1, 2016, or has information that could help the investigation, please contact the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.