Marketplace Meetup Turned Deadly: Illinois Teen Faces Life for Brutal Stabbing and Arson
DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A suburban Chicago community is reeling after a routine online marketplace transaction turned into a scene of unimaginable violence. Nedas Revuckas, 19, of Westmont, has been charged with a series of brutal crimes following the death of Eliza Morales, a 30-year-old mother who was five months pregnant at the time of her murder.
Prosecutors allege that Revuckas stabbed Morales approximately 70 times, attacked the family dog, and set the couple’s apartment on fire to conceal the crime—all over a dispute regarding the condition of a used pickup truck.
A Fatal Meetup: From Marketplace to Murder
The tragedy began on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when Revuckas responded to a Facebook Marketplace listing for a 1994 Ford Ranger posted by Morales’s husband. After an initial meeting, Revuckas purchased the vehicle but left with the sellers’ license plates still attached.
Arrangements were made for Revuckas to return to the Morales residence in the 2300 block of Ogden Avenue on Monday, January 26, to return the plates and collect a formal bill of sale. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured the chilling moments leading up to the attack:
- 5:30 PM: Revuckas is seen meeting Morales, who was home alone with the couple’s elderly dog.
- The Struggle: Video shows Morales handing Revuckas a screwdriver, presumably to assist with the plates. Minutes later, Revuckas is seen entering the building with the screwdriver hidden behind his back.
- The Escape Attempt: Investigators noted that surveillance footage showed the apartment door handle turning from the inside, suggesting a desperate attempt by Morales to escape her attacker.
The Brutality of the Crime
When firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after 6:00 p.m. to respond to a structure fire, they discovered smoke billowing from beneath the apartment door. Inside, they found Morales near the entrance. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after being placed in an ambulance.
Autopsy and Evidence
A DuPage County Coroner’s report revealed the true scale of the violence. Morales suffered roughly 70 stab wounds, primarily to her head, neck, and chest. The coroner noted extensive defensive wounds on her hands and arms, indicating she fought for her life. Tragically, the injuries resulted in intrauterine fetal demise; the unborn child, a girl, did not survive.
Attack on the Family Pet
The violence was not limited to Morales. The couple’s 9-year-old dog was also targeted, suffering a knife wound between the eyes. Authorities say Revuckas admitted to kicking and stabbing the animal. Miraculously, the dog managed to escape through a sliding glass door as the apartment filled with smoke and is currently receiving veterinary care.
Arson and Cover-Up
In a recorded confession, Revuckas allegedly told police he was “angry about the condition of the truck” and took his frustration out on Morales. To cover his tracks, he admitted to:
- Starting Fires: He stacked household items on the kitchen stove and used hand sanitizer and chemical cleaners as accelerants.
- Destroying Evidence: He stole Morales’s phone, work ID from Lurie Children’s Hospital, and her husband’s debit card, disposing of them in various locations including a Best Buy dumpster and behind an Ace Hardware.
Investigators tracked Revuckas to his Westmont home late Monday night, where they found the red Ford Ranger in the driveway and recovered bloody clothing and boots inside the residence.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
Nedas Revuckas appeared in a DuPage County courtroom on Thursday, January 29, 2026. A judge ordered that he be held without bond pending trial, citing the “exceptionally brutal and heinous” nature of the crimes.
The 19-year-old faces a litany of charges:
- First-Degree Murder (Multiple counts)
- Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child
- Aggravated Arson
- Armed Robbery
- Aggravated Animal Cruelty
If convicted, Revuckas faces a mandatory sentence of natural life in prison due to the multiple victims involved (including the unborn child). His next court appearance is scheduled for February 18, 2026.
A Community in Mourning
A vigil was held Thursday evening outside the Morales apartment, where friends, family, and neighbors gathered to remember Eliza. She was described as a “sweetheart” and a devoted mother to her 18-month-old daughter.
“I’m going to spend the rest of my life missing her,” her husband, Gabriel, told reporters. “I have to continue being strong for my daughter and live through her memory.” A GoFundMe for the family has already raised over $30,000 to assist with funeral costs and support for the surviving child.
Safety Reminder: Police urge the public to use designated “Safe Exchange Zones”—often located at local police stations—when completing transactions from online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
