Pregnant woman stabbed 70 times in deadly Downers Grove apartment fire
Published by RawNews1st
Horrifying details emerged in court after authorities said a 30-year-old pregnant woman was stabbed to death during what officials believe was a suburban Facebook Marketplace exchange turned deadly.
In court documents, prosecutors on Wednesday revealed what they said happened before and after Eliza Morales was brutally stabbed and her building set on fire in Downers Grove.
Nedas Revuckas, 19, of Westmont, has been charged with first degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, armed robbery, aggravated arson and animal cruelty in connection with the killing. He is expected to appear before a judge again Thursday.
In their arguments, prosecutors said the situation began when Morales’ husband listed a dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck on Facebook Marketplace over the weekend. Revuckus responded the listing that same day and picked it up.
On Monday, Revuckus arranged to exchange the license plates on the vehicle and the bill of sale for the truck.
Surveillance video from Morales’ building shows her meeting Revuckus at the building around 5:30 p.m. and at one point handing him a screwdriver. He is seen returning a few minutes later and entering the building with the screwdriver in his hand.
Police 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.
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.
During questioning, police said Revuckus confirmed he was at the building for the exchange involving the truck, but said he left through the main doors, despite no surveillance video showing him doing so.
