Man, 19, charged after pregnant woman killed in Downers Grove apartment fire: officials

Man, 19, charged after pregnant woman killed in Downers Grove apartment fire: officials

A 19-year-old man is facing charges in connection with an apartment fire in Downers Grove that killed a pregnant woman Monday evening.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - A 19-year-old man is facing charges in connection with an apartment fire in Downers Grove that killed a pregnant woman Monday evening.

Nedas Revuckas, of Westmont, faces multiple felony charges, according to Downers Grove police. They include first-degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated arson, intentional homicide of an unborn child, and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Pictured is Nedas Revuckas, of Westmont.

Police said the first-degree murder charges include allegations of intent to kill or cause great bodily harm, as well as murder committed during the commission of a forcible felony. Several charges are classified as Class M felonies, while others, including armed robbery and aggravated arson, are charged as Class X felonies.

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Eliza Morales, according to police. Her cause and manner of death will be determined by the DuPage County Coroner at a later date. 

What we know:

Downers Grove police and fire crews were called to the 2300 block of Ogden Avenue around 6:09 p.m. on January 26 for a reported structure fire. Firefighters removed a 30-year-old pregnant woman from the building. Authorities say she suffered apparent sharp force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene after being treated by paramedics.

The DuPage County Coroner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. The woman’s identity has not been released while authorities notify family members.

A second person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. No additional details about that person’s condition have been released.

Several neighboring fire departments assisted with the response, including Westmont, Lisle-Woodridge, Darien-Woodridge, Lombard, Naperville, and Bolingbrook.

What's next:

The case is being investigated as a homicide by the Downers Grove Police Department, the DuPage County MERIT Task Force, the DuPage County Arson Task Force, and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

Revuckas will be transported to the DuPage County Jail and will appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday. 

What you can do:

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Downers Grove Police Department at 630-434-5600.