Illinois Teen Arrested for Brutal Murder of Pregnant Woman During Facebook Marketplace Meetup
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — A chilling crime unfolded in a quiet suburban neighborhood when a 19-year-old Illinois man allegedly stabbed a pregnant woman nearly 70 times during a Facebook Marketplace transaction before setting her home on fire. Authorities arrested Nedas Revuckas on Monday, charging him with first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, animal cruelty, armed robbery, and arson after the brutal attack on Eliza Morales, 30, in her apartment.
According to the Downers Grove Police Department, Revuckas responded to a Facebook Marketplace listing posted by Morales’s husband for a 1994 red Ford Ranger pickup truck. The suspect visited the Morales residence to view the vehicle and later left with the truck, which still bore the family’s license plates. The following Monday, Revuckas arranged to meet the couple at their apartment complex to return the license plates and obtain a bill of sale.
During this meeting, the encounter turned violent. Investigators report that Revuckas stabbed Morales approximately 70 times inside her apartment. He also attacked the family dog with a knife before setting the residence on fire in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. The ferocity of the attack and the subsequent arson shocked the community and law enforcement alike.
Revuckas was quickly apprehended and faces a slew of charges, including the intentional homicide of an unborn child, a charge that reflects the tragic loss of Morales’s pregnancy. The Illinois State Police are collaborating with local authorities to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the crime.
Facebook Marketplace, a popular platform for buying and selling goods locally, has been under scrutiny in recent years for facilitating transactions that sometimes lead to dangerous encounters. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued guidance on safe practices for online marketplace transactions, emphasizing the importance of meeting in public, well-lit places and involving law enforcement if a transaction feels unsafe.
The Downers Grove community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Morales, who was described by neighbors as a devoted mother and expectant parent. Animal welfare advocates also condemned the attack on the family dog, highlighting the cruelty involved.
Authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution when engaging in online marketplace transactions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends verifying identities, meeting in secure locations such as police stations, and avoiding inviting strangers into private homes.
The case remains under active investigation as prosecutors prepare to file formal charges against Revuckas. The tragic incident underscores the potential dangers lurking behind seemingly routine online exchanges and the devastating consequences of violence in domestic settings.
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