Pregnant woman died after being stabbed 70 times by teen who'd bought truck off her on Facebook marketplace, cops say
A pregnant woman in Chicago died after she was brutally stabbed by a teenager who bought a truck from her on Facebook marketplace.
Eliza Morales, 30, was found dead on Monday after 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas allegedly stabbed her 70 times and set her Downers Grove apartment on fire.
Revuckas was arrested and charged with three counts of First Degree Murder, Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.
Morales' husband, Gabriel Morales, had listed a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck for sale on Facebook marketplace and the teen had bought it off the couple on January 24, according to a DuPage County press release.
Later that day, the teen allegedly returned to the Morales' home to give back the vehicle's license plates and tender a bill for the sale of the truck.
Only months away from the birth of her second baby girl, Morales and Revuckas allgedly became involved in an altercation at around 5.30pm.
Just over 30 minutes later, the Downers Grove Fire Department responded to fire alarms at the home and found Morales in the doorway with multiple wounds, mostly focused on her head and neck.
According to the release, Revuckas had allegedly argued over the condition of the truck that the couple sold to him and became violent, stabbing Morales multiple times.
Eliza Morales, 30, was found dead on Monday after she was stabbed around 70 times before her apartment was set alight
Nedas Revuckas, 19, bought a truck off the couple and, after being unhappy with the condition of the vehicle, allegedly attacked Morales in her home
Morales, seen with her husband and two-year-old daughter, was five months pregnant at the time of the attack
The teenager then allegedly set the home alight from the stove top with multiple household items and chemicals before another fire was set by the front door, investigators said.
'Pure evil. None of us get it-she did not deserve this,' Morales' mother-in-law Angelica Silva told ABC 7. 'No one deserves anything like this.'
'We're just going to raise her daughter the way she was.'
The couple's dog, Zula, was also attacked during the incident and was stabbed between the eyes. Zula survived and was admitted to a veterinary hospital for her injuries, the release stated.
'Eliza’s surviving family and friends have suffered a horrific loss and to them I offer my sincerest condolences and wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love and support once provided by Eliza,' DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.
A GoFundMe to support the Morales' family and rebuild their home said: 'The loss of a beloved wife, daughter, and mother — along with her unborn child has left pain that words cannot fully express.'
Morales is survived by her husband and her first-born two-year-old daughter.
The 'devoted mother' was described as 'the type of person who would give the shirt off her back to a stranger,' according to the fundraiser.
The 'devoted mother' was described as 'selfless' and 'the type of person who would give the shirt off her back to a stranger'
The couple's dog, Zula, was also attacked during the incident and was stabbed between the eyes. Zula survived and was admitted to a veterinary hospital for her injuries
'Everything she did was rooted in love. She was motivated by family, driven by loyalty, and guided by a heart that was truly selfless,' a GoFundMe page said
'Her generosity wasn’t an act — it was her nature. Eliza was a devoted mother — gentle, patient, and fiercely committed to her family. The way she cared for her daughter, the way she supported her home, the way she loved without limits… it was a blessing to witness,' family wrote.
'Everything she did was rooted in love. She was motivated by family, driven by loyalty, and guided by a heart that was truly selfless.
'Her loss is a pain that sits deep within all of us, but her presence remains in every memory, every lesson, every moment she touched. She taught us what it means to give without hesitation, to love without conditions, and to live with sincerity.'
According to her family, Morales was five-months pregnant at the time of the attack.
Revuckas appeared in court on Thursday and is expected to appear again on February 18.
