URGENT UPDATE: A suspect has been arrested and charged in a chilling murder case that involved the dismemberment of a victim and subsequent arson in Lawndale, Chicago. Deparris Slaughter, 32, of Munster, Indiana, faces multiple felony charges, including First Degree Murder, after a lengthy investigation that began with a house fire on March 7, 2023.
Authorities confirmed that the incident unfolded just before 9 p.m. on March 7, when Chicago police and firefighters responded to a blaze at a home located on South Kirkland Avenue, situated between Cermak Road and Ogden Avenue. Once the flames were extinguished, first responders discovered the body of a 68-year-old man inside the residence. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the victim died from gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the victim had been dismembered, with both arms and one leg severed. Neighbors noted that the victim had recently moved into the neighborhood, living there with his two adult sons for about two years. The shocking nature of the crime has left the community reeling.
After months of investigation, Slaughter was identified as the primary suspect and was arrested on Saturday in Burnham, Illinois. He now faces four felony charges: Murder – First Degree, Residential Arson, Dismembering a Human Body, and Conceal Homicidal Death. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
This gruesome incident highlights the urgent need for community safety and raises questions about the events leading up to the crime. As the case unfolds, the Lawndale community is left searching for answers and justice for the victim.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
