A Facebook Marketplace transaction turned deadly in Downers Grove, Illinois, after a pregnant woman was stabbed dozens of times inside her apartment, which was later set on fire.
Eliza Morales, 30, who was five months pregnant, was found critically injured inside her apartment building on Ogden Avenue after authorities responded to reports of a fire outbreak.
She and her unborn child later died from their injuries, while 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas of Westmont has been charged in connection with the killing.
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| Eliza Morales |
According to police reports, on January 24, 2026, Morales and her husband, Gabriel Morales, listed a dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
That same day, Revuckas responded to the listing, traveled to the couple’s apartment to purchase the truck, and drove away with the vehicle while the license plates were still attached.
Two days later, on January 26, Gabriel Morales and Revuckas arranged a second meeting at the apartment so the plates could be returned and a bill of sale exchanged.
Gabriel was at work during the meeting, and surveillance video from the apartment building showed Eliza Morales meeting with Revuckas in the building’s vestibule around 5:30 p.m. on January 26, 2026.
According to police reports, footage shows Morales handing Revuckas a tool believed to be a screwdriver, after which he briefly leaves, returns a few minutes later with the tool still in his hand, and enters her apartment with her.
Few moment later video shows the apartment door opening and closing several times, and at one point, Morales and Revuckas appear to be involved in a struggle before the door shuts quickly and smoke is seen coming from Morales’ apartment.
“It appears someone is trying to open the door to get out,” a prosecutor stated in court.
At approximately 6:09 p.m., police and fire crews responded to reports of a kitchen fire at the apartment building in the 2300 block of Ogden Avenue.
Inside the apartment, emergency responders found Morales unconscious near the door with multiple stab wounds. She was transported by ambulance, where she was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy later found Morales had suffered approximately 70 stab wounds, most of them to her head and neck. Court filings also noted soot in her airway.
According to Oxygen.com, the preliminary cause of death was listed as “multiple sharp force injuries,” while the unborn child’s death was listed as “intrauterine fetal demise due to multiple sharp force maternal injuries.”
Police said the family’s senior pitbull mix, Zula, was also stabbed between the eyes and kicked during the attack, but despite her injuries, the dog escaped through a sliding door as the fire spread.
Zula was later taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Also, Morales’ two-year-old daughter was not inside the apartment at the time, so she wasn't hurt.
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| Nedas Revuckas |
After the fire, investigators found the Ford Ranger parked in the driveway of the home Revuckas shared with his girlfriend, so he was taken into custody.
During his interview with detectives, authorities said he admitted being at the apartment building for the exchange involving the truck but claimed he left through the main entrance before the fire.
But investigators said surveillance footage did not show him leaving that way. In a later interview, prosecutors said Revuckas confessed to killing Morales.
“The defendant was upset about the condition of the dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck that he had purchased and decided to take out his frustration on Eliza,” the court filing stated, as per Express News.
Revuckas claimed that he stabbed Morales 10 times but the autopsy later showed that she was stabbed 70 times. During the struggle, Morales told him she was pregnant, but despite that, he continued the alleged attack.
Revuckas also told investigators he started the fire using household chemicals and sanitizer found inside the apartment.
Revuckas has been charged with seven felony counts, including first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, armed robbery, aggravated arson, and aggravated cruelty to animals.
“The actions by the defendant are horrific,” prosecutors wrote. “The level and degree of violence demonstrated by the defendant is not comprehendible.”
According to DuPage County officials, Revuckas is scheduled to enter a plea at his next court date on February 18. He remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
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