A pregnant mother was brutally stabbed 70 times in her own home during what should have been a routine Facebook Marketplace transaction, exposing the deadly dangers of unregulated online sales platforms that put everyday Americans at risk.
Story Snapshot
- Eliza Morales, 30 and pregnant, was stabbed approximately 70 times by a buyer frustrated over a truck purchase
- The suspect, 19-year-old Nedas Revuckas, also killed the family dog and set the apartment on fire to cover his tracks
- The victim mentioned her pregnancy during the attack, yet the violence continued unabated
- This tragedy underscores the growing risks of online marketplace transactions without proper safety protocols
Senseless Violence Over a Truck Sale
Eliza Morales welcomed Nedas Revuckas into her Downers Grove, Illinois apartment on a Monday evening to complete paperwork for a 1994 Ford Ranger her husband had sold over the weekend through Facebook Marketplace. Surveillance footage shows Revuckas arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m. to exchange license plates and finalize the bill of sale. Within seventeen minutes, the 30-year-old pregnant mother lay dead from approximately 70 stab wounds, her family’s pit bull mix stabbed between the eyes, and her apartment engulfed in flames. Revuckas confessed to police shortly after his arrest, claiming he acted out of frustration over the truck’s condition.
A Mother’s Final Moments of Resistance
Court documents reveal the horrifying details of Morales’ final moments. When Revuckas attempted to rob her at her doorstep, she resisted, even handing him a screwdriver during the initial confrontation. The struggle moved inside her apartment where, according to prosecutors, she told her attacker she was pregnant, desperately appealing to his humanity. That revelation did nothing to stop the savage assault. First responders arriving at 6:09 p.m. discovered Morales with fatal stab wounds to her head and neck, the apartment ablaze. The family dog managed to escape but required hospitalization. Left behind was a grieving husband and a two-year-old daughter who will never know her mother or unborn sibling.
Swift Justice and a Grieving Family
Downers Grove Police located Revuckas at his girlfriend’s home shortly after the murder, spotting the Ford Ranger in the driveway. Initially denying involvement, the 19-year-old Westmont resident quickly confessed when confronted with evidence including bloody clothing. He now faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, arson, and animal cruelty while being held in DuPage County Jail. Gabriel Morales, the victim’s husband, told reporters he will spend the rest of his life missing his wife. The family’s mother-in-law, Angelica Silva, called the act “pure evil.” A community vigil was held Wednesday, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $30,000 toward funeral expenses and supporting the surviving toddler.
The Facebook Marketplace Danger Nobody Discusses
This tragedy highlights a disturbing pattern that law enforcement and safety advocates have warned about for years. Facebook Marketplace facilitates approximately one billion listings annually across the United States, creating countless opportunities for criminals to exploit unsuspecting sellers and buyers. Robberies, assaults, and even murders have occurred during what appear to be legitimate transactions. Yet the platform continues operating with minimal safety requirements or verification processes, prioritizing profit over protecting users. The lack of corporate responsibility from tech giants like Meta puts ordinary Americans conducting simple transactions in life-threatening situations. This represents a fundamental failure of big tech to safeguard the communities they claim to serve, leaving families to pick up the pieces.
The Morales family now faces the unimaginable task of raising Eliza’s daughter without her mother, supported by relatives who have pledged to honor her memory. Prosecutors are pursuing maximum penalties against Revuckas, whose callous disregard for human life over a used truck reveals a moral bankruptcy that demands accountability. For countless families engaging in online transactions, this serves as a stark reminder that convenience should never compromise safety. Common-sense precautions like meeting in public places, bringing companions, and verifying buyer identities remain critical in an era where platforms prioritize growth over user protection.
Sources:
Man arrested after allegedly stabbing pregnant woman during Facebook Marketplace meetup – KFOX TV
Man arrested after allegedly stabbing pregnant woman during Facebook Marketplace meetup – WWMT





