Developer Found Slain in Own Garage

CHICAGO — A real estate developer known for his grand vision and philanthropic activities was found dead in his blood-spattered garage with multiple stab wounds and may have been tortured, authorities said.

Lee Miglin, 72, was found dead Sunday in his garage in the wealthy Gold Coast neighborhood after his wife, cosmetics mogul Marilyn Miglin, reported him missing.

Miglin’s face was wrapped in a plastic bag that was fastened around his neck with masking tape. His feet were bound, and the left half of his body was tucked under the front end of a car. His throat had been slashed, police said.

The medical examiner’s office determined the cause of death was multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to the chest.

The killer spent some time in the Miglin home, consuming food and leaving a handgun in the bathroom, police Supt. Matt Rodriguez said. The couple’s 1994 green Lexus was gone, and Marilyn Miglin said money was missing from her husband’s briefcase.

Miglin’s body was found after his wife returned home from a trip to Canada, where she had appeared on a home-shopping network to promote her products, family members said. She called 911 when she found the gun because she and her husband did not own one.