Latest news with #MeganBos
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
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'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mother of missing Illinois woman found dead speaks out: 'There are no words'
The Brief Megan Bos, 25, was reported missing in March and found dead in April in Waukegan. The man who confessed to hiding her body faces charges but was released from custody. Lawmakers and family members are questioning the justice system and the implications of the SAFE-T Act. WAUKEGAN, Ill. - The tragic death of Megan Bos has ignited both public outcry and political controversy in Lake County. The discovery of her body has raised questions about law enforcement practices and the implications of the SAFE-T Act, particularly concerning the suspect's release from custody. What we know Megan Bos was reported missing on March 9 and was found dead on April 10 in a storage container at a Waukegan home. On Thursday, her mother picked up the belongings discovered with her daughter in the storage container. "There are no words to help me understand how a person can do this to another human being and walk out of court the next day like you got a traffic ticket," said Jennifer Bos, Megan's mother. "Someone that hid their body in a garbage can for 51 days, after leaving it in the basement for two days, after not calling 911, breaking a phone. Is this a non-detainable offense? Should we not find out, wait for a toxicology report, anything? Especially with someone that is a citizen of a foreign country," said State Rep. Tom Weber. Weber represents the 64th District where the Bos family lives. Megan was first reported missing in early March. Both Waukegan and Antioch police searched for her for weeks. They questioned Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, who eventually confessed that her body was in a container in his yard on Yeoman Street. He told police Megan overdosed at his home in mid-February. He didn't want to get in trouble, so he left her body in his basement for a few days and broke her phone before moving her to the container where she remained for seven weeks. The 52-year-old—now charged with concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing justice—was released from custody pending trial. What they're saying Family and friends say those charges don't go far enough. "Most of the searches was within 200 feet of where she was the entire time. So here we are circling, you know, the surrounding businesses, every single light pole, every single tree, there was hundreds and hundreds of fliers. Her face was everywhere. The business next to where his residence was located, we were in multiple times. His door was knocked on multiple times, it's gut-wrenching. It's nauseating to think the whole entire time she was just there and he didn't give a care in the world," said Jennie Szalay, Megan's friend. What's next Megan will be laid to rest on Saturday. As the investigation continues, authorities are awaiting toxicology results to determine the cause of death definitively. The Source FOX 32's Tia Ewing reported on this story.
