Teen accused of killing pregnant woman and setting her home on fire after she tried to stop him from breaking in

A pregnant woman was stabbed to death inside her Illinois home that was then set on fire after investigators say she tried to stop a teen from breaking into the apartment – a brutal attack that also killed her unborn baby and left her family shattered.

Firefighters responding to the blaze in Downers Grove found 30-year-old Eliza Morales in the burning home just before 9 p.m. on Monday. Police said the fire was intentionally set.

Morales, who was five months pregnant with her second daughter, had suffered multiple stab wounds, according to Downers Grove police and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation led to the arrest of 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas, of Westmont. Investigators said Morales confronted Revuckas at her door when he attempted to break in and rob her.

Revuckas has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of intentional homicide of an unborn child, armed robbery, aggravated arson and aggravated cruelty to an animal, according to DuPage County court records filed Tuesday.

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Revuckas appeared in court on Wednesday where prosecutors laid out horrifying details of the incident in what officials believe was a suburban Facebook Marketplace exchange turned deadly, according to WMAQ.

Prosecutors said Revuckus had responded to a listing Morales' husband had posted for a dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck on Facebook Marketplace.

Surveillance video from Morales' apartment shows her meeting Revuckus around 5:30 p.m. and at one point handing him a screwdriver. He is seen returning a few minutes later and walking into the building with the screwdriver in his hand.

Morales is then seen at the door to the unit in what “appears to be a struggle,” with Revuckus before the door closes, according to the report read in court. The door handle moves as if someone was trying to get out, the report states.

About 10 minutes later, smoke is seen coming from the apartment. Firefighters arrived about 20 minutes later to find Morales unresponsive inside, with multiple stab wounds.

In a police interview, police told Revuckus they found bloody clothing inside his home and he “confessed to murdering Eliza,” the court report stated.

“The defendant indicated he stabbed the victim 10 times. The defendant was upset about the condition of the dark red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck that he had purchased and decided to take out his frustration on Eliza,” the report read. “The defendant got into a fight with Eliza. The defendant said that during the fight, Eliza mentioned that she was pregnant.”

An autopsy, however, found that Morales had been stabbed at least 70 times, mainly in her head and neck.

The family’s elderly pitbull mix, Zula, who had escaped the burning building was taken to VCA animal hospital for care after it was discovered that she had been stabbed between her eyes.

Prosecutors said Revuckus confessed to starting a fire in the kitchen using items in the home, which authorities said was consistent with preliminary findings on the blaze.

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Morales worked in the payroll department of a children’s hospital and was married to her high school sweetheart, according to CBS News. Relatives said she was expecting a baby girl in March. Her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was with her mother at the time of the incident, the outlet reported.

A second person, who was not named, was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and then taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for further treatment, police said.

Morales’ husband, Gabriel, was at work when he received the call that his wife and unborn child were gone, WLS reported.

“I’m gonna spend the rest of my life missing her,” Gabriel Morales said. “I can get every second back with her and just continue try to live through her for my daughter. And continue to be strong for my family.”

Aside from the murder and robbery charges, Revuckas is also charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal for allegedly stabbing a dog in the face, police said.

Revuckas is currently in DuPage County Jail.