Mercedes Mercy Rodas, a 49-year-old Hispanic woman, was tragically found dead alongside her husband, Carlos Rafael Rodas Perez, 52, on December 8, 2020, in their Beach Park home near Zion, IL. The couple was discovered with gunshot wounds in their garage, and despite life-saving efforts by sheriff's deputies, both were pronounced dead at the scene. The Lake County Coroner confirmed that the cause of death for both victims was gunshot wounds.
The investigation into their deaths revealed that it was not a murder-suicide, but rather a double homicide. Detectives from the Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects. Derenell Hill, 35, and Timothy Triplett, 34, both from Waukegan, were charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The authorities believe the murders occurred during a botched carjacking attempt. Hill was initially arrested on a charge of driving with a revoked license, and further investigation linked him to the double homicide. A stolen gun belonging to Carlos Rodas Perez was found in an apartment where Hill had been staying, further implicating him in the crime.
The Lake County State’s Attorney announced that the charges against Hill and Triplett could result in life sentences if they are convicted. The arrests and subsequent charges have provided some measure of relief to the victims' family, who described Mercedes and Carlos as hardworking and honest individuals whose lives were senselessly cut short. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives continuing to gather evidence and build their case against the suspects.
