A suspect has been arrested for murder after authorities say he lured a young woman to his home, stabbed her repeatedly, robbed her and dumped her body in a wooded area in Wadsworth.
The Elmhurst Police Department responded around 4:35 a.m. Saturday to a 911 call for a report of a missing person, identified as 21-year-old Claudia Mojarrieta-Matos.
The male caller told officers he dropped Mojarrieta-Matos off around 1 a.m. in the 600 block of West Lorraine Avenue in Elmhurst to meet with another person, later identified as Santino Ortiz, 22, of Elmhurst.
Ortiz lives one block to the north — in the 600 block of West Belden Avenue — from the location where Mojarrieta-Matos was dropped off, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The male 911 caller told officers that he received a phone call from Mojarrieta-Matos 15 minutes after dropping her off.
He heard a struggle and Mojarrieta-Matos crying before the call abruptly terminated, prosecutors said.
The complainant returned to the area and was unable to locate Mojarrieta-Matos. He later called 911 and filed the missing person report.
The Elmhurst Police Department identified Ortiz as a suspect in Mojarrieta-Matos’ disappearance.
Officers contacted Ortiz and he agreed to meet with them at the Elmhurst Police Department at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Investigators interviewed Ortiz and he was taken into custody following the interview.
Investigators learned that Ortiz solicited Mojarrieta-Matos for prostitution and arranged to meet her in the 600 block of West Lorraine Avenue, prosecutors said.
Mojarrieta-Matos arrived at the address and Ortiz led her into his nearby garage.
Prosecutors said he grabbed Mojarrieta-Matos, forced her to the ground face down and repeatedly slammed her head on the garage floor.
Ortiz grabbed a knife out of his pocket and repeatedly stabbed Mojarrieta-Matos from behind, prosecutors said.
Ortiz wrapped her head in a garbage bag and put her body in a garbage can, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Ortiz placed Mojarrieta-Matos’ body in his pickup truck, left his house around 8 a.m. Saturday and dumped Mojarrieta-Matos’ body in the area of Delany Road and West Adams Road in Wadsworth.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was working with the Elmhurst Police Department when investigators discovered her body.
She was located in a wooded area near the intersection, approximately 30-40 feet off the roadway amongst some brush and trees.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified about the discovery just before 6 p.m. Sunday.
Her body was located under the fresh snow that fell early Sunday morning, coroner’s officials said.
An autopsy conducted by the coroner’s office found Mojarrieta-Matos had been stabbed approximately seven times in her face and head.
Ortiz was charged with six counts of first-degree murder, one count of armed robbery and one count of concealment of a homicidal death.
“I offer my sincere condolences to Claudia’s family and friends as they attempt to process this horrific loss,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said.
“With a complete disregard for human life, Claudia’s young life was taken in a senseless, brutal act of violence, allegedly committed by Mr. Ortiz. The type of violence alleged in this case will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their outstanding efforts in this case,” Berlin said.
“Their commitment to justice led to the apprehension of the defendant approximately twelve hours after the original 911 call and the subsequent filing of first degree murder charges shortly thereafter. I also thank DuPage MERIT, the Lake County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s Offices as well Assistant State’s Attorneys Lee Roupas and Daniel Orescanin for their tireless efforts throughout the weekend which resulted in strong charges against Mr. Oritz,” Berlin added.
Ortiz appeared in DuPage County Circuit Court on Tuesday and Judge Joshua Dieden granted a petition to detain him pending trial.
Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean said the department extends their “deepest condolences” to the victim’s family and friends grieving her loss.
“We remain committed to supporting them as this case moves forward. I want to recognize our officers, evidence technicians, and detectives for their dedication throughout this investigation in the pursuit of justice for Claudia. Their efforts, supported by the members of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, led to the swift apprehension of the defendant and the location of the victim in this tragic case,” McLean said.
Ortiz is scheduled to appear in court again on January 5.