Megan Bos: Family, friends hold funeral service, demand justice after suspect's release
The Brief
Megan Bos, 37, was found dead under a tarp behind a Waukegan home weeks after disappearing; her funeral was held Saturday as loved ones called for justice.
Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez is charged with concealing her death and abuse of a corpse but remains free under the SAFE-T Act, sparking outrage among Bos' family.
Authorities await toxicology results, and Antioch's mayor is now pushing for reforms to the SAFE-T Act; Mendoza-Gonzalez is due back in court May 8.
ANTIOCH, Ill. - Friends and family gathered Saturday to say their final goodbyes to Megan Bos, 37, who disappeared in February and was later found dead under a blue tarp inside a container behind a Waukegan home.
The release of a potential suspect has left Bos' loved ones demanding justice.
What we know
It was an emotional day for Bos' family and friends as her funeral and burial were held Saturday. Hours later, her grieving parents visited, for the first time, the location where her body deteriorated for seven weeks.
There were flowers, hugs, tears and candles as many questions remain surrounding her death.
Bos disappeared in February. After several search parties, relatives learned she had been with a friend now accused of breaking her cellphone and trying to hide her body.
Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez is charged with concealing the death and abuse of a corpse but is not currently in custody under the SAFE-T Act.
"Nobody should be allowed to do what he done and still be on the street. The SAFE-T Act should never come into play when it comes to this. This is beyond the SAFE-T Act," said Bos' stepfather, Eric Bos.
Mendoza-Gonzalez told police that Bos overdosed inside his home. After two days in his basement, he allegedly placed her body outside in a garbage bin in his backyard.
Her body remained there for more than 50 days.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma or struggle. The family is now awaiting toxicology results.
What's next
Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner is pushing for reforms to the SAFE-T Act.
Bos leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter and an 8-month-old son.
Mendoza-Gonzalez is due back in court May 8.
RELATED:Antioch mayor speaks out after suspect released in Megan Bos case: 'I was shocked'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Kewanee man arrested after string of vehicle burglaries
Police in Kewanee have made an arrest in a series of vehicle burglaries in the city. A news release from the Kewanee Police Department say the department investigated a series of vehicle burglaries between May 14th and May 30. After an investigation, officers identified and arrested Zachary Huffman, age 21 of Kewanee, in connection with the crimes. Huffman was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) under the provisions of the Illinois SAFE-T Act and released from custody. He is accused of committing another vehicle burglary while awaiting a hearing. Kewanee officers found him in connection with a new incident on May 30. During that contact and investigation, Huffman was found with a firearm. Since he was on pretrial release conditions at the time, the Henry County State's Attorney's Office approved taking him into custody and he was taken to the Henry County Jail. Huffman has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card, a Class A misdemeanor and burglary without causing damage, a Class 3 felony. Additional charges are pending. A Class 3 felony in Illinois carries a possible sentence of two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He has a preliminary hearing in Henry County Court in Cambridge on June 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
Homer Glen couple charged with first-degree murder in connection with 2-year-old daughter's death
WILL COUNTY, Ill. — The parents of a two-year-old girl who died under suspicious circumstances inside their Will County home in 2024 have been charged with first-degree murder. Police in Will County were called to the home of 49-year-old Edward Weiher and 28-year-old Alexa Balen, located in the 2200 block of West Thorn Apple Drive, just after 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2024, on reports of an unresponsive child and a possible carbon monoxide leak. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Weiher, who owns the home, performing chest compressions on two-year-old Trinity Balen-Weiher on an ottoman in the living room. Balen and her six-year-old daughter were also inside the home. During the initial investigation, deputies say they spotted garbage, rotten food, soiled diapers and clothing, medical waste and evidence of significant drug use. Nine grams of heroin were found in the home, within reach of both children, police say. 21 Xanax pills were also on a bedroom floor and multiple doses of Narcan were located near the ottoman where the child was when police arrived. Trinity Balen-Weiher was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, where she died the next day. Homer Township Fire personnel and Nicor Gas confirmed there was no gas leak at the residence. Balen's six-year-old daughter was placed in protective custody and later released to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, both Weiher and Balen made incriminating statements during interviews. They were arrested on initial felony charges and later released. However, an autopsy conducted by the Will County coroner shows new evidence that supports first-degree murder charges. Weiher and Balen appeared in court and were indicted on the new charges Monday. They have been released under pretrial conditions per the Illinois Safe-T Act. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
New partnership in Centre County gives support for sexual assault victims
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A new partnership in Centre County is bringing new technology and enhanced care for sexual assault victims to the region. Penn Highlands State College and the Sexual Assault Telehealth (SAFE-T) System partnered to bring the new technology and enhanced care. SAFE-T System was launched with support from the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime as a solution to enhance access to high-quality sexual assault care in underserved communities. When someone arrives at Penn Highlands State College after experiencing sexual violence, they will immediately have access to a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). 'We need to be ready to deliver a compassionate, person-centered, trauma-informed care when somebody who experiences sexual assault,' Associate Professor at the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, & Founder and Director of SAFE-T System, Sheridan Miyamoto said. SANEs have extensive experience in the provision of sexual assault care. Thanks to SAFE-T System's specialized forensic telehealth technology, their expertise can be accessed in the Centre County region. Typically, access to SANEs with this level of training and experience is often limited to large urban sexual assault centers. However, the innovative partnership Penn Highlands State College shares with SAFE-T System makes it possible to have this expertise in this region. The SAFE-T System telehealth SANE (teleSANE) can see the live exam in progress, ensuring best practices, proper evidence collection, and a safe and supportive environment for the patient. 'The need, especially with Penn State University being here, we have Lock Haven, we have Juniata College just down the road as well. The need is there, we're really hoping that patients feel confident in coming to us to be able to give them the care,' Penn Highlands State College ER Director, Amanda Myers, said. The goal of this system is not only top-quality care but also the hope that more people come into the facility to get help. Myers said that since many hospitals don't have the training and resources for this, many patients feel they're not going to be believed and having this new system in the Centre County community is very beneficial. Plus, she added that many still need help and care after the exam. 'Because once we treat medically, it doesn't stop for them. We see that often patients develop PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and we want to make sure that they know that once they leave our doors, we're still here for them,' Myers said. Sexual assault forensic examinations are free to patients and no cost is incurred for SAFE-T System telehealth support. Forensic examination services are available at Penn Highlands State College Emergency Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.