Lake County Sheriff’s investigators have identified Juan A. Vega-Montoya, 37, of Chicago as the suspect in the homicide of Megan Lewis, discovered murdered on the side of Hunt Club Road south of Route 173 on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced today that detectives worked tirelessly to identify and arrest the suspect who murdered Megan Lewis. During the autopsy, the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined Lewis was 16-weeks pregnant when she was murdered.
Detectives thoroughly processed the crime scene and located physical evidence which identified Juan A. Vega-Montoya, 37, of the 2100 block of North Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, as a potential suspect.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced today that Sheriff’s detectives spent countless hours reviewing video surveillance and determined Lewis was picked up by Vega-Montoya on November 26, 2023, in the area of Cicero Avenue and West Belden Avenue, Chicago. Sheriff’s detectives believe Vega-Montoya began arguing with Lewis in the vehicle. During the argument, Vega-Montoya strangled Lewis to death.
Vega-Montoya then drove home and left Lewis’ body in his vehicle for two days, before dumping her on the side of Hunt Club Road, during the overnight hours of November 28th. The body was found at the side of the road Wednesday morning, November 29, 2023.
On December 11, 2023, sheriff’s detectives conducted surveillance in the area of Vega-Montoya’s home. Vega-Montoya was spotted driving and detectives conducted a traffic stop, taking him into custody. Additional physical evidence of the homicide was located inside Vega-Montoya’s vehicle.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of concealing a homicidal death for Vega-Montoya. He is due in First-Appearance Court this morning. Prosecutors are filing a petition for detention to detain Vega-Montoya in the Lake County Jail while he awaits trial.
As the actual homicide of Lewis took place in the City of Chicago, sheriff’s detectives have tendered all investigative information to Chicago Police Department, and it is anticipated they will seek murder charges for Vega-Montoya.
Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “It is simply unconscionable to kill someone then dump their body on the side of a roadway, in a humiliating fashion. I am very proud of the members of our Office who spent countless hours seeking evidence and searching for Megan’s killer. I am grateful for all of the agencies who assisted and worked to hold Megan’s killer accountable.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said, “The Sheriff’s team did a fantastic job investigating this case and checking every lead. First Assistant Lauren Callina led our office’s efforts as everyone worked together to track down this very dangerous offender. Without their tireless pursuit – across county lines – we would not have been able to being to secure justice for Megan.”
Homeland Security Investigations played a vital role assisting sheriff’s detectives in this investigation.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the collaboration with HSI Chicago and Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” said ERO Chicago Field Office Director LaDeon Francis. “With outstanding teamwork, we were able to track down this dangerous fugitive noncitizen quickly and bring him to justice. Rest assured; we will continue to grow our already strong partnership with HSI Chicago and Lake County Sheriff’s Office to the betterment of the entire community.”
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“Our partnership with federal and local partners, like ERO Chicago and Lake County Sheriff’s Office, is essential to public safety,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald. “Our duty to protect the community is a shared responsibility. When agencies work together, we can capture dangerous individuals, like Vega Montoya, in a safer and more controlled manner. I applaud the teamwork and effort of the agents, officers and deputies involved in arresting this individual and making our communities safer today.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Field Office, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Chicago Field Office, Berwyn Police Department, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Lake County Coroner’s Office, and Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory for their collaboration in this investigation.
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The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a body found in a bag on the side of Hunt Club Road, south of Route 173, in the Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth areaq of Lake County (ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the female homicide victim as 39-year-old Megan Lewis, of Chicago. According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office an autopsy was conducted Wednesday, November 29, 2023, and preliminary autopsy results indicate that Ms. Lewis’ death is consistent with strangulation.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hunt Club Road south of Route 173 for a report of a possible body on the side of the road. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located the body of a deceased woman on the east shoulder of the roadway. Based on preliminary investigation, it appears the woman was the victim of a homicide, and her body was dumped on the side of the roadway during the early morning hours.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene.
We appreciate the community’s patience we have been working to assure proper family notification and as Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives continue to investigate the incident. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
— Lake County Coroner’s Office
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a death, involving a woman was left dead on the side of Hunt Club Road in Old Mill Creek.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hunt Club Road south of Route 173 for a report of a possible body on the side of the road.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located the body of a deceased woman on the east shoulder of the roadway. Based on preliminary investigation, it appeared that the woman was the victim of a homicide and her that her body was dumped on the side of the roadway during the early morning hours.
The crime scene was located on Hunt Club Road between Route 173 and Kelly Road in Old Mill Creek, which is located south of Route 173. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office alerted the public that Hunt Club Road was closed north of Route 173. Initially it is unknown whether there was investigative activity also occurring north of Route 173.
POLICE ACTIVITY WITH A ROAD CLOSURE ON HUNT CLUB ROAD NORTH OF ROUTE 173 OLD MILL CREEK: 8:40 AM … Police working at the scene of an undisclosed incident with a road closure on at Hunt Club Road near Route 173 Old Mill Creek. Lake County Sheriff's… https://t.co/my3zAsexXB
— ChicagoFireMap (@ChicagoFireMap) November 29, 2023
The cause and manner of death are currently unknown, however, the Lake County Coroner’s Office was assigned to the scene, and an autopsy is being scheduled.
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives continue to investigate the homicide and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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The intersection of Hunt Club Road and Route 173 is located less than one mile west of Interstate 94, the Tri-State Tollway.
Hunt Club Road is a two-lane rural highway with a Speed Limit of 55 MPH surrounded by woods and farm fields.