An Illinois man has been accused of killing his elderly mother and hiding her body inside their home for several days. The case came to light after family members grew concerned when the woman suddenly stopped her daily routines.
Charges and Arrest
Kevan Works, 66, has been charged with first-degree murder and concealing the death of a person in connection with the death of his 88-year-old mother, Daniest Graves.
The Chicago Police Department announced his arrest. He is expected to appear in court on April 29.
Timeline of Disappearance
The incident dates back to March 26, when Graves returned home to South Lafayette Avenue in Chicago after shopping with her sister.
The following morning, she failed to send her usual early prayer message, something she reportedly did every day. She also missed work, church services, and other planned activities, which raised alarm among her family.
Family Concern and Police Involvement
On March 29, Graves’ sister went to check on her and was met by Works, who appeared startled and refused to let her inside the home.
After the encounter, the sister contacted police. When officers arrived, Works allegedly told them he had not seen his mother since March 27 and claimed she had gone to work.
Inside the home, officers found Graves’ cellphone in her room, despite Works saying he could not access the room due to not having a key.
Suspicious Activity and Evidence
Investigators later determined the phone had last been used on March 29.
Further investigation revealed that Works and another woman had taken Graves’ car on March 27 and traded it for drugs. A witness told police the car contained two large black garbage bags at the time.
Police also recovered surveillance footage showing that Graves never left the home after returning from shopping on March 26.
Discovery of the Body
After several days without locating Graves, officers returned with a search warrant. Police dogs led them to the basement, where her body was found hidden in a room concealed behind a bookcase.
Authorities also discovered several suspicious items, including a folding knife with what appeared to be blood, a bottle of bleach, a hammer, and brass knuckles.
Additional signs of possible cleanup efforts were found in the home, including suspected blood stains, dried bleach on the floor, and multiple air fresheners.
Additional Findings
Graves’ purse and wallet were located in a garbage can in the garage, while her jewelry boxes were found empty in the attic.
These findings, along with the physical evidence and witness statements, contributed to the charges against Works as the investigation continues.
