The 19-year-old man accused of killing a pregnant woman during a failed online vehicle sale in suburban Chicago is now hospitalized after suffering self-inflicted injuries while in custody, authorities said.
Nedas Revuckas, who faces multiple felony charges in connection with the death of Eliza Morales, is in critical condition following an incident inside his housing unit at the DuPage County Correctional Center on Thursday, Jan. 29, according to a preliminary investigation.
The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said Revuckas sustained injuries around 5 p.m. and was immediately treated by jail medical staff before being transported to a local hospital. Authorities said no other individuals were involved.
The hospitalization came the same day Revuckas was denied pretrial release in the homicide case.
Morales, 30, was a mother of a 2-year-old daughter and was five months pregnant with her second child when she was killed inside her family’s apartment on Monday, Jan. 26. Authorities allege she was stabbed approximately 70 times.
Investigators said the attack stemmed from a planned sale arranged through Facebook Marketplace. Morales’ husband had listed a pickup truck for sale, and Revuckas came to the apartment to inspect and purchase the vehicle.
According to police, Revuckas became angry after seeing the truck’s condition. Authorities allege he then attacked Morales, who was home at the time, rather than leaving the scene.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Morales giving Revuckas a screwdriver so he could switch license plates on the truck. Minutes later, Revuckas is seen approaching the apartment door with the tool concealed behind his back. Roughly 20 minutes after that, smoke was observed coming from the apartment.
Police and firefighters responded to the scene, extinguished a fire inside the residence, and found Morales deceased.
Authorities allege Morales attempted to stop Revuckas from entering the apartment and fought to defend herself during the attack. Investigators said Revuckas acknowledged that Morales mentioned she was pregnant during the struggle, but allege he continued the assault anyway.
Police also allege Revuckas stabbed the family’s dog while the animal attempted to protect Morales.
Revuckas appeared in court on Wednesday, Jan. 28, where he was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, arson, homicide of an unborn child, and cruelty to animals. He is expected to appear in court again after his medical condition stabilizes.
The case remains under investigation.