Chicago man charged in death of missing 88-year-old woman on South Side

Man charged with murder of 88-year-old woman

An elderly woman who was missing more than a week was found dead on the south side. A man is charged with murder. Joanie Lum is live at Area Two police headquarters.

CHICAGO - A man has been charged in connection with the death of an 88-year-old woman who had been reported missing on Chicago’s South Side.

What we know:

Kevan Works, 66, has been charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a death, according to a statement from Chicago police.

[L-R] Kevan Works and Daniest Graves. (Chicago Police Department)

He was arrested Tuesday morning in the 10700 block of South Lafayette in the Roseland neighborhood, the same area where the victim was found, according to the medical examiner's office.

Officers say the victim, identified as 88-year-old Daniest Graves, was discovered dead on April 7. Investigators say Graves’ death has been ruled a homicide. Officials say she suffered multiple injuries as a result of an assault. Police say her body was inside the house, reportedly wrapped in a rug.

Works was taken into custody at the scene and later charged.

The backstory:

Graves had been reported missing after she was last seen on March 27.

Police said at the time she suffered from several health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and circulation issues.

Authorities also noted she drove a gray 2021 Ford EcoSport.

What's next:

Works is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing Friday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

What they're saying:

Graves was described as a sweet woman by neighbors in Roseland. Despite her health issues, neighbors say she was sharp and could drive.

They were shocked to hear that a man living at the house at 108th and LaFayette was charged with murder.

Venethia Reese lives across the street. She said, "You don’t do that to nobody. That’s not good you do not hurt people for no reason."

Graves was the focus of a report by the Black and Missing Foundation, a nonprofit that shared the information to bring attention to her disappearance.

Neighbors saw the police activity at her house and were saddened to hear of the woman’s death.

Yvonne Bellinger was in the neighborhood visiting her daughter. She said,"I’m sorry to hear that, anytime. I don’t know her but it’s sad to hear a loss, whether you know a person or not that’s just unwelcoming news."

What we don't know:

Police have not released additional details about what led up to the assault. Police did not say what the relationship was between the suspect and the victim.