A fatal attack inside a suburban Illinois apartment has drawn widespread attention after authorities charged a 19-year-old man with the murder of a pregnant woman and the intentional killing of her unborn child. The case centers on the death of 30-year-old Eliza Morales, who was five months pregnant at the time she was stabbed inside her home in Downers Grove. Investigators say the attack occurred after Morales attempted to stop the suspect from breaking into her apartment, and that the fire set afterward was meant to destroy evidence.
The incident has left a family grieving, a community shaken, and prosecutors pursuing some of the most serious charges available under Illinois law. Firefighters were called to the apartment just before 9 p.m. on Monday after reports of a structure fire. Inside the burning home, they found Morales suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police later confirmed that the fire had been intentionally set and that Morales’ unborn child also died as a result of the attack. Authorities say the violence escalated rapidly after Morales confronted the suspect at her door, transforming what they believe began as an attempted burglary into a deadly assault.
Within hours, investigators identified and arrested 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas of Westmont. Court records filed in DuPage County detail a series of charges that reflect both the brutality of the attack and the circumstances surrounding it. Nedas Revuckas is accused not only of murder and arson, but also of armed robbery and aggravated cruelty to an animal, making the case one of the most serious criminal prosecutions currently unfolding in the county.
The fatal confrontation inside the Downers Grove apartment
According to police, the attack occurred when Nedas Revuckas allegedly attempted to break into Morales’ apartment. Investigators say Morales confronted him at the door, apparently trying to prevent the intrusion. What followed, prosecutors allege, was a violent assault in which Morales was stabbed multiple times. Authorities have not disclosed the exact sequence of events inside the apartment, but they have stated that the injuries were severe enough to cause her death at the scene.
Firefighters responding to the blaze discovered Morales inside the burning residence. Police later confirmed that the fire had been intentionally set, adding another layer of gravity to the case. Investigators believe the fire was started after the stabbing, suggesting an attempt to conceal the crime or destroy evidence. The presence of smoke and flames complicated rescue efforts and posed additional risks to first responders.
A second individual was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and later transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for further care. Police have not released the identity of that person or clarified their relationship to the apartment, but officials have said there is no indication that Morales’ young child was present at the time of the attack. Relatives told media outlets that Morales’ one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was with her grandmother when the incident occurred.
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The death of Morales’ unborn child has been a central aspect of the investigation. At five months pregnant, Morales was expecting her second daughter, due in March. Illinois law allows for separate charges when the death of an unborn child results from a violent crime, and prosecutors have indicated that this provision applies in the case. The combination of alleged stabbing, arson, and the loss of both Morales and her unborn baby has elevated the case to one involving multiple counts of first-degree murder.
Charges filed against Nedas Revuckas and details from investigators
DuPage County court records show that Nedas Revuckas has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of intentional homicide of an unborn child, armed robbery, aggravated arson, and aggravated cruelty to an animal. The breadth of the charges reflects the range of conduct investigators say occurred during the incident.
Prosecutors allege that Nedas Revuckas attempted to rob Morales and that the confrontation at the door escalated into lethal violence. The armed robbery charge suggests authorities believe a weapon was used or intended to be used during the attempted break-in. The aggravated arson charge stems from the intentionally set fire that engulfed the apartment, while the cruelty to an animal charge relates to allegations that a dog inside the residence was stabbed in the face during the attack.
Police have stated that Morales did not know Revuckas, and family members have said there was no prior connection between them. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive beyond the alleged attempted burglary, nor have they detailed how Revuckas was identified so quickly after the incident. Officials have confirmed that he was taken into custody and is being held in the DuPage County Jail.
Revuckas is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing, where a judge will consider whether he should remain in custody while the case proceeds. Given the severity of the charges, prosecutors are expected to argue for continued detention. The case is likely to involve extensive forensic evidence, including fire investigation findings, autopsy results, and any physical or digital evidence recovered from the scene.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active. While the charges filed outline the prosecution’s initial theory of the case, additional details may emerge as evidence is reviewed and presented in court. The complexity of the allegations, involving both homicide and arson, suggests the legal process could be lengthy and closely watched.
Remembering Eliza Morales and the impact on her family
Eliza Morales was described by relatives and colleagues as a devoted mother and a dedicated professional. She worked in the payroll department of a children’s hospital, a role that placed her within an environment focused on care and service. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Gabriel Morales, and the couple were preparing to welcome their second daughter in the coming months.
Family members told media outlets that Morales was home alone on the evening of the attack, cooking dinner when the suspect allegedly attempted to break in. Her husband was at work at the time. The call informing him of his wife’s death and the loss of their unborn child marked the beginning of a period of profound grief for the family. Morales’ relatives have spoken publicly about the shock and devastation caused by the sudden violence.
In statements reported by local news organizations, Gabriel Morales described the enduring impact of his wife’s death and his determination to remain strong for their surviving daughter. The family has emphasized that Morales was looking forward to expanding their family and had been eagerly anticipating the birth of her second child.
The case has resonated beyond the immediate family, drawing attention to issues of home safety, violent crime, and the far-reaching consequences of a single act of alleged criminal violence. Community members in Downers Grove have expressed concern and sorrow, while officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing justice through the court system.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus will remain on the evidence presented against Revuckas and the accountability sought by prosecutors. At the same time, the life of Eliza Morales, her role as a mother, wife, and professional, and the loss experienced by her family continue to underscore the human cost at the center of the case.