Nedas Revuckas Charged in Downers Grove Killing After Online Sale Meeting Turns Fatal
Nedas Revuckas, a 19-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, has been charged in the death of Eliza Morales, a 30-year-old pregnant woman who was found after an apartment fire in Downers Grove, Illinois. Prosecutors allege Morales was attacked during a meeting connected to an online vehicle sale, and that the fire was set afterward in an attempt to conceal the crime.
By Wednesday night, January 28, 2026 ET, authorities said Revuckas was in custody and expected back in court for a detention hearing on Thursday, January 29, 2026 ET.
Prosecutors outline a brief timeline tied to a pickup truck sale
Authorities say the case began with a listing for a dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck posted for sale online on Saturday, January 24, 2026 ET. Revuckas allegedly responded that day, met with the seller, and left with the vehicle while the seller’s license plates were still attached.
According to prosecutors, a follow-up meeting was arranged for Monday, January 26, 2026 ET, at an apartment building in the 2300 block of Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove to return the plates and complete paperwork for the sale. The victim, Eliza Morales, was at the building when Revuckas arrived, and surveillance video is described as showing them entering the apartment unit together.
Further specifics were not immediately available about the full sequence of communications leading up to the meeting, including whether any additional messages or payment disputes were documented publicly.
Allegations include stabbing, arson, and injuries to a family pet
Court filings described by prosecutors allege a violent struggle inside the apartment, followed by smoke appearing from beneath the door. Firefighters were called to the building and found Morales near the apartment entryway; she was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy referenced in court proceedings found Morales suffered about 70 stab wounds. Prosecutors also allege the attack resulted in the death of her unborn child; Morales was described as being about five months pregnant. Authorities say the couple’s dog was injured during the incident but escaped during the fire and received veterinary treatment.
Revuckas faces multiple felony counts, including first-degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated arson, intentional homicide of an unborn child, and aggravated cruelty to animals. Some specifics have not been publicly clarified, including what evidence prosecutors intend to present first at the detention hearing and how the defense will respond at this early stage.
How detention hearings and major felony cases typically move forward
In Illinois, a detention hearing is a key early proceeding where prosecutors argue a defendant should be held while the case moves ahead, often focusing on the seriousness of the alleged offense, the strength of the evidence, and whether the person poses a danger or flight risk. The judge can order detention or set conditions for release, depending on what is presented in court.
For cases involving homicide and alleged arson, investigators typically rely on multiple tracks of evidence: surveillance video, forensic findings at the scene, medical examiner results, and searches of clothing, tools, or vehicles. When arson is alleged, fire investigators generally work to determine the origin area and whether the burn pattern matches accidental causes or deliberate ignition. Those findings can take time, and a full public timeline has not been released regarding when final fire determinations will be entered into the court record.
Community impact and what comes next in court
The practical impact is being felt across several groups. Residents of the apartment building faced evacuation and disruption tied to fire damage and safety concerns, while the victim’s family is confronting sudden loss and the legal process that follows. The case has also heightened anxiety for people who use peer-to-peer buying and selling sites, particularly those who meet strangers in person to exchange vehicles or other high-value items.
Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and local victim-support services are also affected, as major felony cases require extensive resources, ongoing court preparation, and coordination around evidence handling and witness support.
The next immediate milestone is Thursday’s detention hearing on January 29, 2026 ET, when a judge is expected to address whether Revuckas will be held in custody as the case proceeds toward formal pretrial scheduling and later evidentiary filings.
