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Body cam shows Downers Grove murder suspect calm, attempting to nap after arrest
Newly released body camera video shows Downers Grove police questioning the 19-year-old accused of stabbing a pregnant woman more than 70 times and setting her on fire.
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Newly released body camera video shows Downers Grove police questioning the 19-year-old accused of stabbing a pregnant woman more than 70 times and setting her on fire.
The footage, obtained from the Downers Grove Police Department, captures the hours after the January attack. Throughout nearly two hours of video, the suspect appears calm — at times acting as if nothing had happened.
The backstory:
Nedas Revuckas, 19, is charged with killing 30-year-old Eliza Morales inside her Downers Grove apartment on Jan. 26. Morales was five months pregnant at the time.
Prosecutors say Revuckas stabbed Morales more than 70 times before setting her and the apartment on fire.
According to court documents, the attack allegedly stemmed from a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Revuckas had purchased a truck from Morales and her partner and was reportedly upset about the vehicle’s condition. Investigators say he took his anger out on Morales.
He is also accused of stabbing the family dog between the eyes.
What we know:
The video begins just hours after the attack, when officers arrived at a Westmont home where Revuckas was staying.
In the footage, Revuckas appears calm while speaking with officers. At first, he claims he did not go inside the apartment. Court documents state that he later confessed to the killing.
Additional body camera video shows Revuckas being transported to jail. During the ride, he appears relaxed, at one point kicking his feet up in the back seat and attempting to take a quick nap.
Pregnant woman stabbed 70 times in deadly Downers Grove apartment fire: court docs
Authorities have released new details in the investigation of an apartment fire in Downers Grove that left a pregnant woman dead and led to murder charges against a 19-year-old man.
What they're saying:
Shortly after his arrest, officers informed him there had been a fire at the apartment.
"We want to let you know that there was a fire at the home. Are you aware of that?" an officer asks.
"Mm, no," Revuckas responds.
Moments later, officers place him under arrest.
"For what? Can I get my jacket?" Revuckas asks.
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Eliza Morales murder: Officials discuss fatal stabbing of pregnant Downers Grove woman
Officials in suburban Downers Grove held a press conference Thursday following the first court appearance of the suspect accused of fatally stabbing Eliza Morales, who was pregnant.
What's next:
Revuckas has denied sexually assaulting Morales. However, prosecutors said Morales had bruising and burns in her genital area.
Revuckas was reportedly injured while in custody at the DuPage County Jail just hours after his first court appearance.
He is due back in court on March 3.
The Source: Details for this story were provided by FOX Chicago's Leslie Moreno.