Facebook Marketplace Meetup Ends in Fatal Stabbing of Mom
New details have emerged in the killing of a pregnant Illinois mother who was stabbed 70 times during a Facebook Marketplace meetup that turned deadly, according to prosecutors.
Eliza Morales, a 30-year-old mother from Downers Grove, Illinois, was five months pregnant with her second daughter when she was killed Monday night inside her family’s apartment, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Morales was home alone with her dog while her husband was at work when the attack occurred.
Nineteen-year-old Nedas Revuckas has been charged with first-degree murder, robbery, arson, homicide of an unborn child, and cruelty to animals. He appeared in court on Wednesday, January 28.
Marketplace Car Sale Led Suspect to Victim’s Home
According to police, Morales’ husband, Gabriel Morales, had listed a pickup truck for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Revuckas traveled to the apartment to purchase the vehicle but allegedly became angry after seeing its condition, according to ABC 7 Chicago and Fox 32.
Investigators allege that Revuckas took his frustration out on Eliza Morales instead of leaving the property. ABC 7 reported that prosecutors said the teen “decided to take out his frustration on Eliza” and attacked her inside the apartment.
WGN reported that surveillance video showed Morales giving Revuckas a screwdriver to help switch license plates on the vehicle. Minutes later, footage allegedly showed Revuckas approaching the apartment door with the tool hidden behind his back.
Attack and Fire Inside the Apartment
Police said Morales tried to stop Revuckas from forcing his way into the apartment. During the struggle, Morales reportedly told the suspect she was pregnant.
Despite that, investigators allege Revuckas continued stabbing her dozens of times. ABC 7 reported that Morales suffered 70 stab wounds.
Roughly 20 minutes after Revuckas entered the apartment, surveillance footage showed smoke coming from the door, WGN reported. Police and firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished a fire inside the apartment, where Morales was found dead.
Prosecutors also allege that Revuckas injured the family’s dog while it attempted to protect Morales, leading to the cruelty to animals charge.
Family Calls Killing “Pure Evil”
Morales’ family said they are struggling to understand the brutality of the attack.
“None of us get it. She did not deserve this,” Morales’ mother-in-law Angelica Silva told ABC 7 Chicago. “No one deserves anything like this.”
Silva described the killing as “pure evil.”
Morales was the mother of a 2-year-old daughter and was preparing to welcome her second child. Family members said she was deeply devoted to her children and worked tirelessly to support her household.
Husband Left Grieving After Returning From Work
Gabriel Morales was at work when he received the call that his wife and unborn daughter had been killed.
“I’m gonna spend the rest of my life missing her,” he told ABC 7 earlier this week. “I can get every second back with her and just continue to try to live through her for my daughter. And continue to be strong for my family.”
Family members have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Gabriel Morales and his surviving daughter.
Family Remembers a Loving Mother
In the fundraiser description, Morales’ family described her as generous, compassionate, and devoted to her loved ones.
“The loss of a beloved wife, daughter, and mother, along with her unborn child, has left pain that words cannot fully express,” the family wrote. “Eliza leaves behind a devoted husband and a precious, beautiful 2-year-old daughter.”
They added that Morales was “the type of person who would give the shirt off her back to a stranger” and that “everything she did was rooted in love.”
Investigation Ongoing
Revuckas remains in custody as the case proceeds through the court system. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek additional charges.
Authorities continue to warn the public to exercise caution when arranging in-person transactions through online marketplaces, especially meetings conducted at private residences.
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