Mother's Death Ruled A Suicide, Autopsy Results Pending For 1-Year-Old Son

CHICAGO — A South Side mother who was found deceased on the South Side earlier this week has been ruled a suicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner. Her young son was also found deceased on the property.

Kendrea Richardson, 25, and her 1-year-old son, Ellis Washington, were the focus of a Chicago police death investigation when both were found deceased early Tuesday morning at an apartment building in Chicago’s Ashburn neighborhood.

Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, Chicago police were called to assist firefighters in the 2400 block of 80th Street, where officials say Richardson had apparently taken her own life in the backyard. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A firefighter saw a door open and entered the residence, where Ellis was found. He, too, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Autopsy results for the woman’s young son are still pending.

A free, 24/7, confidential service can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress or those around them with support, information, and local resources. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988