In a shocking incident in suburban Chicago, a teenager faces serious charges following the fatal stabbing of a 30-year-old pregnant woman in her home.
Police and emergency services responded to an apartment fire in Downers Grove on Monday, where they discovered Eliza Morales with fatal stab wounds, according to a report by WLS.
Authorities allege that 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas knocked on Morales’s door and launched a violent attack as she opened it.
Revuckas now faces charges of first-degree murder, robbery, homicide of an unborn child, arson, and animal cruelty, as per the Daily Herald.
The teenager is accused of stealing a cellphone, a work lanyard, and identification from Morales, and of injuring her dog during the brutal incident.
Additionally, another individual at the scene required treatment for smoke inhalation, a result of the fire allegedly ignited by Revuckas after the murder.
Morales’ baby was due in March. Her other child, a toddler, was with her mother-in-law in a neighboring apartment at the time of the attack.
Gabriel Morales, Eliza Morales’s husband, was at work at the time of the attack, according to WLS.
“I’m gonna spend the rest of my life missing her,” Morales said.” I can get every second back with her and just continue try to live through her for my daughter. And continue to be strong for my family.”
Family said that Eliza Morales worked in the parole department of a children’s hospital. They also said neither she nor anyone else in the family knew the attacker, who was from the neighboring suburb of Westmont, WMAQ reported.
Revuckas is set to make his first court appearance Wednesday morning, authorities said.
