The coroner has released the identity of a 47-year-old man who was killed after prosecutors say his brother beat him to death during a verbal argument on Christmas Day in Gurnee.
An autopsy performed Tuesday showed that Brandon Biron-Bomis, 47, of Glencoe, suffered trauma but a final cause of death is pending further testing and toxicology, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The man’s brother, Kevin N. Biron-Bomis, 50, of Gurnee, was charged with one count of first-degree murder in his death.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Stephen Scheller said officers responded around 2 a.m. on Sunday to Kevin Biron-Bomis’ home, which is in the 1000 block of Boulevard View in Gurnee.
Kevin Biron-Bomis told officers he thought he killed his brother.
Paramedics transported Brandon Biron-Bomis to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead.
Kevin Biron-Bomis initially claimed self-defense by telling the police he had gotten into a fight with his brother, who allegedly came at him, leading him to sit on top of his brother until he was not breathing.
Officers took Kevin Biron-Bomis into custody and transported him to the Gurnee Police Department where he was interviewed by detectives.
Kevin Biron-Bomis said he was with his brother earlier in the day and the two went to several bars in Waukegan for drinks, Scheller said during a bond hearing.
Bar employees eventually told Kevin Biron-Bomis that his brother was acting up and he needed to leave the bar.
Kevin Biron-Bomis, who was a regular at the bar, became embarrassed by his brother’s actions, Scheller said.
The two of them left the bar, began arguing and proceeded to go to Kevin Biron-Bomis’ house.
Kevin Biron-Bomis said that his brother tried to punch him and he sat on his brother’s chest and punched him so many times that he stopped breathing, Scheller said.
Kevin Biron-Bomis said he then stood up and kicked his brother before calling 911.
While in custody, Kevin Biron-Bomis gave detectives a second statement on Monday, Scheller said.
He said that the two had been verbally arguing after arriving at the residence.
Once they were inside the foyer area, Kevin Biron-Bomis shook his brother’s hand and told him “it was not a big deal,” Scheller said.
He then allegedly punched his brother, who fell to the ground.
Brandon Biron-Bomis got back up and Kevin Biron-Bomis punched his brother again before getting on top of him and “pummeling” him until he died, Scheller said.
Prosecutors said Kevin Biron-Bomis is a registered violent offender due to a previous criminal conviction for strangling a 7-year-old child in Lake County.
He also has a felony conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Lake County.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Kevin Biron-Bomis held on a $5 million bond.
Prosecutors did not ask the judge to hold the man without bond.
Kevin Biron-Bomis remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on January 25 for a preliminary hearing.