3 charged in killing of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, 19, on Southwest Side

Thursday, May 16, 2019
CHICAGO -- Three people, including a mother and daughter, have been charged in the death of a young pregnant woman on Chicago's Southwest Side.

Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter Desiree Figueroa face murder charges in the death of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced at a press conference Thursday.

Piotr Bobak, the boyfriend of Clarisa Figueroa, was charged with concealing a homicidal death, police said.

Clarisa Figueroa (left), 46, Desiree Figueroa, 24, and Piotr Bobak, 40

Chicago police



"Words cannot express how disgusting and thoroughly disturbing these allegations are," Johnson said.

WATCH: CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson announces charges in killing of 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez
3 charged in killing of 19-year-old pregnant woman on SW Side


Wednesday, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said remains found at a home in the 4100-block of West 77th Place in Chicago's Scottsdale neighborhood were identified as those of Ochoa-Lopez. She was reported missing three weeks ago from Pilsen and was nine-months pregnant when she disappeared.
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Officials said her cause of death was ligature strangulation. Her death has been ruled a homicide.



The baby allegedly taken from Ochoa-Lopez's womb remains in grave condition at Christ Hospital.

Ochoa-Lopez had previously been identified as Marlen Ochoa-Uriostegui. Uriostegui is her mother's name. Both police and the Cook County Medical Examiner identified her as Marlen Ochoa-Lopez.

Family devastated by Pilsen woman's murder; baby in grave condition


Articles of Ochoa-Lopez's clothing and blood were found inside the home, CPD officials said at a press conference Thursday.



Her loved-ones have been left heartbroken and horrified.

"Why did these people, why did these bad people do this? She did nothing to them," said Yovani Lopez, her husband. "She was a good person."

Ochoa-Lopez's family was seen entering the medical examiner's office late Thursday morning to see her body. In addition to the newborn baby, Marlen also leaves behind a 3-year-old child.

WATCH: Husband speaks about Marlen Ochoa-Lopez's death
Marlen Ochoa-Lopez's husband speaks out about her death


The family said they believe the pregnant teen was lured to the home through a Facebook post promising free baby items.



"It just seems surreal, like you see this stuff on movies," said family spokesperson Cecilia Garcia.
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On the day Ochoa-Lopez vanished, the fire department went to the home after a woman said she'd given birth.

"The caller gave birth 10 minutes ago," a 911 dispatcher tells the Chicago Fire Department. "Forty-six years of age. The baby isn't breathing. The baby is pale and blue. They are doing CPR."

VIDEO: Family pleads for help finding missing pregnant teen
Press Conference- Family seeks help finding missing pregnant teen


That baby is now fighting for his life at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.



"The detectives went to see the baby, get the DNA testing, and confirm that that is Marlen's baby," Garcia said.
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RELATED: Persons of interest questioned about pregnant teen missing 3 weeks

A person who didn't want to be identified said that the woman from the home, one of three people being questioned, used to babysit her infant, until she began acting strangely.

"She told me how she was getting really attached to the baby, how she couldn't wait to be a mom again," the woman said.

Police have yet to name the three persons of interest and what charges they could be facing.

RELATED: Pregnant teen last seen in Pilsen

As for the baby fighting for his life, Ochoa-Lopez's family said he has been named Yovani Yadiel Ochoa-Lopez.

About a half a block away from the house where Ochoa-Lopez's remains were found, a memorial of flowers, candles and stuffed animals is growing.

"I can't fathom what could be in your mind to hurt such an innocent young person that's trying to do good for her family," said Cristy Hall.

Hall came by to drop off a bear and paper flowers her son had made.

"It makes me -- as a mother -- want to just bring my kids closer. Like it makes you not want to let your children out of your sight," she said.

Ochoa-Lopez's aunt said they are hoping to set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses soon, but warned that the campaigns currently listed on GoFundMe for the family are not by or associated with them, and warned the public not to donate.

The Chicago Sun-Times contributed to this report.
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