Fernando Casas, a 19-year-old male from Stone Park, Illinois, was tragically found dead on May 30, 2016, in the Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve. His remains were discovered in a plastic bag, leading to a death investigation by the Cook County Sheriff's Police. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Fernando Casas died from a gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Casas had been missing since May 9, 2016, before his body was found.
During the investigation, detectives identified Carlos Martinez-Rodriguez, a 36-year-old male, as the primary suspect. Martinez-Rodriguez was last seen with Fernando Casas before his disappearance. An arrest warrant was issued for Martinez-Rodriguez on September 6, 2016, after evidence pointed to him as the shooter. He was eventually located in New York City and returned to Cook County on January 5, 2017.
Carlos Martinez-Rodriguez was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Fernando Casas. He was denied bond during his initial court appearance at the Maywood Courthouse and was scheduled for further court proceedings. The case highlighted the tragic loss of a young life and the subsequent legal actions taken to bring the perpetrator to justice.
