Emily Romo Obituary-Death News; Emily Romo Passed Away – Juan Carlos Perez-Abarca Suffocates Teen Girl, Stabs Her Mother In Unincorp. Lyons Township Attack
Prosecutors shared new details Friday in court about a violent home invasion and attack in unincorporated Lyons Township earlier this week that left a 16-year-old girl dead, her mother seriously injured, and the suspect wounded after a police-involved shooting.
Authorities said the incident unfolded Monday evening inside an apartment in the 6400-block of Joliet Road, near the border of La Grange and Countryside. Around 5:30 p.m., a Cook County Sheriff’s officer responded to a domestic violence call at the residence.
According to prosecutors, 35-year-old Juan Carlos Perez-Abarca of Orland Park allegedly broke into the home, suffocated a teenage girl with a plastic bag, and stabbed her 48-year-old mother. When the responding officer arrived, he reportedly found Perez-Abarca holding one of the victims at knifepoint while the second victim lay motionless and bleeding nearby.
As the officer attempted to intervene, prosecutors said the suspect began stabbing the woman again. At that point, the sheriff’s deputy opened fire, striking Perez-Abarca in the leg. Both victims and the suspect were transported to area hospitals.
Tragically, prosecutors confirmed the teenage victim, identified as Emily Romo, 16, of LaGrange-Highlands, died Thursday night from her injuries. Her mother remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Perez-Abarca, who had been receiving treatment for the gunshot wound, was discharged from the hospital Thursday night. He was wheeled into a Bridgeview courtroom on Friday, where prosecutors laid out the disturbing details of the attack.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office announced that Perez-Abarca faces charges of attempted murder and home invasion, though officials confirmed those charges are expected to be upgraded to murder following Romo’s death.
During Friday’s hearing, the judge ordered Perez-Abarca held in custody at the Cook County Jail until his next court date on September 5. Calling the attack “nothing short of a horrific act of violence,” the judge stressed the gravity of the crimes and the danger posed to the community.
Court filings revealed that Romo’s mother had discovered her daughter with a plastic bag over her head during the attack. Despite her own injuries, she attempted to intervene before the sheriff’s deputy arrived at the scene.
The incident has shaken the west suburban community, where neighbors and classmates are mourning the loss of Emily Romo. Friends described her as a bright and kind young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
As the investigation continues, prosecutors are working to establish a full timeline of the crime and any potential motives. Meanwhile, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said their officer’s quick response likely prevented further loss of life during the confrontation.
Perez-Abarca remains behind bars, facing what prosecutors say will ultimately be upgraded charges reflecting the severity of the attack and the devastating loss of a young life.
