Itzel Camarena, a 24-year-old woman who was six months pregnant, was found dead in an alley in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago on February 18, 2024. Her body was discovered around 9 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Vernon Avenue, between two trash cans. The Cook County Medical Examiner determined that Camarena died from a gunshot wound to the face.
Camarena's family was deeply affected by her death, with her mother, Vanessa Sanchez, expressing overwhelming grief and a desperate need for answers. Sanchez recalled receiving a phone call from detectives asking her to identify the body, which marked the beginning of her nightmare. Camarena was excited about motherhood and had plans to start a cosmetics business. Her family mentioned that she was waiting to learn the gender of her baby, but had already chosen the name Itzayana, meaning "gift from God," if the baby was a girl.
The investigation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Dontrell Anderson, who was charged with first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death. Anderson was apprehended in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and extradited to Chicago. Prosecutors presented surveillance video evidence showing Anderson dragging Camarena's body, wrapped in a sheet, from his apartment to the alley where it was found. Anderson and Camarena had attended high school together, but the motive behind the murder was not immediately clear.
Anderson's court appearance revealed more details about the crime, with prosecutors highlighting the surveillance footage that allegedly showed him moving Camarena's body. The family of the victim has been present at Anderson's court hearings, seeking justice for Itzel and her unborn child. A GoFundMe page was set up to support Camarena's family during this difficult time.
