NW Side man charged with setting fire that killed girlfriend
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
A Northwest Side man accused of killing the woman he lived with by dousing their apartment with gasoline and setting it on fire knew she'd been cheating on him, a prosecutor said Sunday.
Gregorio Carmona, 35, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson for the death of Claudia Martinez-Rayo. Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered him held without bail. Police said Carmona was her live-in boyfriend, but also said he referred to the woman as his wife.
Carmona is accused of setting fire to the couple's basement apartment in the 4800 block of North Kenneth Avenue around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.
Assistant State's Attorney Brad Dickey said the fire started in a laundry room. Carmona poured gasoline throughout the apartment, according to police reports, and on Martinez-Rayo.
The woman, also 35, was found in a bedroom, and a five-gallon gasoline can was found nearby, according to the prosecutor. He said Carmona — aware of his girlfriend's affair — had noticed her taking a cellphone out of their bedroom.
Martinez-Rayo was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood following the blaze, where she died at 5:58 a.m. Thursday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
The couple had a 6-year-old daughter, and Dickey said Carmona did not leave her behind in the burning apartment. The girl wasn't injured, he said. She was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital for an evaluation, Chicago police said, before being turned over to a relative.
Carmona was also treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation, and police reports show he was arrested upon his release. Records show his clothing contained gasoline.
A Friday autopsy found Martinez-Rayo died of thermal injuries from an apartment fire, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner's office.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:05:27 GMT
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:52 GMT
An 87-year-old who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a bait-and-switch has told jurors she had qualms about suing the developer-turned-TV star given his power and influence.
An 87-year-old woman who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a bait-and-switch scheme has told jurors she had qualms about suing the developer-turned-TV star given his power and influence.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:43 GMT
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:45 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:45:14 GMT
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:39:06 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:35:53 GMT
Transit officials said the first rush hour of CTA's five-month Red Line construction project went smoothly Friday morning. Mayor Emanuel also stopped by to thank commuters for taking the project in stride.
Transit officials said the first rush hour of CTA's five-month Red Line construction project went smoothly Friday morning. Mayor Emanuel also stopped by to thank commuters for taking the project in stride.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:42:49 GMT
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:40:07 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
