A 19-year-old charged in the brutal murder of a pregnant suburban woman, who was found dead inside her burning home this week, has been ordered held without bond.
Appearing in court Thursday, one day after prosecutors detailed allegations against him, Nedas Revuckas, of Westmont, was denied pre-trial release in connection with the killing of 30-year-old Eliza Morales and her unborn child.
The incident unfolded earlier this week during what authorities allege was a Facebook Marketplace exchange turned deadly.
“This was a violent, brutal, unprovoked attack on an innocent woman and her unborn child,” Judge Joshua Dieden said in court Thursday.
Revuckas has since been charged with first degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, armed robbery, aggravated arson and animal cruelty.
Here’s a look at what happened and how the case has unfolded so far:
What happened to Eliza Morales?
In court documents, prosecutors on Wednesday said Morales was brutally stabbed and her building set on fire during a 30-minute incident Monday in Downers Grove.
They allege her death came in a meetup following a Facebook Marketplace exchange over the weekend, in which Revuckus purchased a dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck listed on the social media platform by Morales’ husband.
On Monday, Revuckus arranged to exchange the license plates on the vehicle and a bill of sale for the truck.
Prosecutors cited surveillance video from Morales’ building, which shows her meeting Revuckus at the building around 5:30 p.m. At some point during the meetup, prosecutors allege Morales and Revuckus got into an altercation, saying he was “upset about the condition of the truck he had purchased.”
At about 5:47 p.m., video shows the door to Morales’ unit opening and closing. At one point, Morales is seen in “what appears to be a struggle” with Revuckus before the door quickly closes, court documents stated.
After that, the door handle is seen turning and moving from the inside.
“It appears someone is trying to open the door to get out,” the documents stated.
About 10 minutes later, smoke is seen coming out of the unit.
About 6:09 p.m. Monday, police and firefighters responded to Morales’ apartment building in the 2300 block of Ogden Avenue for reports of a kitchen fire. When they arrived, they found Morales unresponsive inside with multiple stab wounds.
Prosecutors alleged the altercation between Morales and Revuckus at one point turned physical and Morales was stabbed 70 times, largely in her head and neck.
Authorities said Morales’ 2-year-old child was not home at the time of the incident, but her elderly pitbull mix, Zula, suffered a stab wound between her eyes and escaped from a sliding door during the blaze. Zula was taken to VCA animal hospital for care.
What led to an arrest?
After the fire, authorities said they went to the home Revuckus shares with his girlfriend in Westmont, saw the pickup truck in the driveway and took him in for questioning, where he ultimately confessed to the crimes.
Initially, prosecutors said Revuckus told police he went to the building for the meetup and left via the main door, though they noted video did not show him exiting building there.
In a later interview, police told Revuckus they found bloody clothing inside his home and said he then “confessed to murdering Eliza,” prosecutors said.
He told police at that time he “was upset about the condition of the dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck that he had purchased and decided to take out his frustration on Eliza,” court documents stated.
Police said Revuckas told them, “It just happened. I don’t know why.”
Prosecutors said Revuckus also confessed to starting a fire in the kitchen “using items he found in the apartment and household chemicals and sanitizer as an accelerant,” which authorities said was consistent with preliminary findings on the blaze.
They then claim he took her cell phone and fled the scene.
“When detectives left the interview room and the defendant was alone in the room, the defendant at one point was crying,” the court docs read.
He then allegedly walked officers through his disposal of evidence following the attack.
The DuPage County State’s attorney said the knife used in the attack has not been found, but blood was found on the the 19-year-old’s car, clothing found at his home and at several locations Revuckas told police he went to after the murder.
Prosecutors said clothing was found in a garbage can at an Ace Hardware store cited by Revuckus as one of the locations where he disposed of evidence. The bag also contained Morales’ lanyard and work ID’s for Lurie Children’s Hospital and her husband’s debit card.
Revuckas was ordered held without bond in court Thursday after a judge said he posed a “real and present danger to the community.”
What we know about Eliza Morales
Family members told NBC Chicago that Morales was five months pregnant, and was at home cooking dinner when she was attacked. The family added that none of them, including Morales, knew Revuckas.
“With a baby inside of her, pure evil, none of us get it. She did not deserve this,” said the victim’s mother-in-law, Angelica Silva.
Morales was an employee a Lurie Children’s Hospital, which said it is “deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague.”
“She was a valued member of our team and will be remembered for her dedication and positive impact she had on those who worked alongside her. Our condolences are with her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,” the hospital said.
“Eliza’s surviving family and friends have suffered a horrific loss and to them I offer my sincerest condolences and wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love and support once provided by Eliza,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “What makes this case particularly troubling is the unconscionable level of violence allegedly displayed by Mr. Revuckas. In DuPage County, public safety is our top priority. The overwhelming response from all the agencies involved in this tragic incident is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of law enforcement throughout DuPage County. It is because of their efforts, the defendant was taken into custody and charged with the murder of Eliza Morales and her unborn child.”
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