A Westmont teenager now faces first-degree murder charges after a pregnant woman was found dead in a burning apartment.
Authorities identified the suspect as Nedas Revuckas of the 1400 block of Spruce Street.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney filed the charges Tuesday evening.
Revuckas is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of intentional homicide of an unborn child.
He also faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated arson, and aggravated cruelty to an animal.
Downers Grove police responded to a fire in the 2300-block of Ogden Avenue just before 6:10 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters discovered 30-year-old Eliza Morales inside the building with “apparent sharp force trauma.”
Court records state Revuckas stabbed Morales multiple times about her head and body.
Morales, who was six months pregnant, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The robbery charge alleges Revuckas stole Morales’ cellphone, work lanyard, and work identification.
The animal cruelty charge accuses the teen of stabbing a dog in the face during the attack.
A second person in the building was treated for smoke inhalation.
Family members say Morales was a kind-hearted payroll worker for a children’s hospital.
She leaves behind a husband and a young daughter.
Relatives believe Morales was attacked while cooking dinner, causing food on the stove to ignite the fire.
The DuPage County Arson Task Force and the State Fire Marshal assisted in the investigation.
Revuckas is being transported to the DuPage County Jail.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a detention hearing.
Police have not yet released a motive for the attack or a possible connection between the suspect and the victim.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Downers Grove Police Department.
