Tragic story of Chicago’s famous Walking Man: ‘Gentle soul’ ended up homeless after deaths of FOUR siblings, refused to use sleeping bag over fears of attack – and lost eyelids and ear in fire assault that killed him

Family and friends have shed light on a famous Chicago resident known as the Walking Man, who loved to stroll the streets he lived on until he was burned to death in a horrific attack.

Joseph Kromelis was murdered in December 2022 aged 75, horrifying the Windy City’s residents, after being set alight with gasoline while sleeping rough.

For decades, he fascinated Chicagoans by walking up to 20 miles a day while keeping to himself, with his poised stance, thick hair and huge mustache adding to his mystique.

Some people theorized he was an eccentric billionaire, while others claimed to have heard that he was a famous musician or a college literature professor.

But the truth was far more prosaic – and moving. Kromelis’ family and friends say the real Walking Man was a gentle soul whose life was beset by tragedy and poverty, but who remained determined to maintain a private, yet dignified existence.

Kromelis worked as a street jewelry salesman during his younger years, and would offer passers-by the chance to buy gold trinkets hung from the inside of his coat.

But after suffering the loss of four siblings in quick succession, Kromelis became homeless in the early 2010s. 

The single-occupancy residency he lived in was bought by developers, leaving him with nowhere to live. 

He  was sleeping on the streets when he was set alight by a career criminal in May 2022, causing horrific full body burns which eventually killed him seven months later. 

A nun who tended to Kromelis during his painful final months in hospital said the attack left him without eyelids, and also burned one of his ears off. 

The Chicago Tribune has now revealed the life story behind Kromelis, who had no history of violence, addiction or mental health issues – but was instead a local legend before his heartbreaking death.

Kromelis was born in Germany on January 13, 1947 to Lithuanian parents, and he was one of six children who emigrated with them to America.

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