A shocking crime has caught national attention after a missing woman’s body was discovered in a bleach-filled container in Illinois. The man accused of hiding her body and lying to the police is a 52-year-old Mexican national, Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez.
He was first arrested and then released, only to be captured again by immigration officials.
What Happened in Waukegan, Illinois?
In April, police in Waukegan found the body of 37-year-old Megan Bos. She had been missing since March 9. Her family said she actually disappeared in February.
Authorities discovered her body stored in a plastic container filled with bleach in Mendoza-Gonzalez’s yard. It is believed that the body was kept there for almost two months.
Who Is the Accused?
Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez is a Mexican citizen living in Waukegan, Illinois. He was initially arrested in April and charged with serious crimes, including concealing a corpse, abusing a corpse, and obstructing justice. But after his first court appearance, Lake County Judge Randie Bruno released him from custody.
Immigration Authorities Step In
After being released, Mendoza-Gonzalez was later found and arrested again at a market in Chicago by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He is now being held in ICE custody, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A DHS spokesperson said, “It is absolutely repulsive this monster walked free on Illinois’ streets after allegedly committing such a heinous crime. Megan Bos and her family will have justice.”
Political Leaders Speak Out
Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner criticised the law that allowed Mendoza-Gonzalez to walk free. He blamed the SAFE-T Act for not keeping someone accused of such a serious crime behind bars. Mayor Gartner pointed out that the accused is not a U.S. citizen and could possibly flee the country.
State Representative Tom Weber also raised his voice, questioning how someone accused of hiding a body for 51 days after not calling 911 and breaking the victim’s phone could be considered “non-detainable.”
What Did Mendoza-Gonzalez Say?
According to reports, Mendoza-Gonzalez told police that Megan Bos overdosed while at his house. Instead of calling emergency services, he claimed he broke her phone and kept her body in the basement for two days. Later, he moved the body outside into a container filled with bleach.
This tragic case has not only shocked the local community but also raised serious questions about laws related to detention and immigration.
While authorities now have Mendoza-Gonzalez in custody, the public and Megan Bos’s family are demanding answers and justice. This case is a painful reminder of why strong, fair, and clear laws are essential for public safety.
