DOWNERS GROVE, IL – A 19-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing a pregnant mother to death, attacking her dog, and setting her apartment on fire in this Chicago suburb, authorities announced.
Nedas Revuckas of Westmont faces charges including murder, robbery, homicide of an unborn child, arson, and animal cruelty in the Monday killing of Eliza Morales, 30, who was expecting her second child in March.
Investigators say Revuckas knocked on Morales’ apartment door and attacked her when she answered. He allegedly stabbed her multiple times, stole her cellphone, work lanyard, and identification, then turned his violence on the family dog before setting a fire that caused smoke inhalation injuries to another resident.
Firefighters responding to the blaze discovered Morales’ body inside the apartment. Revuckas was unknown to the victim’s family, leaving investigators puzzled about what motivated the savage attack.
Morales worked in the parole department of a children’s hospital and was married to Gabriel Morales. Their toddler was with the child’s grandmother at the time of the attack and was unharmed.
“I’m gonna spend the rest of my life missing her,” Gabriel Morales told reporters, his voice breaking. “I can get every second back with her.”
The couple had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second child, with the baby due in just weeks. Instead, Gabriel Morales is now planning his wife’s funeral.
Revuckas made his first court appearance Wednesday morning. He is being held without bond. Prosecutors have not revealed what led them to identify him as a suspect or whether they’ve determined a motive for the killing.
