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Two Dead in Stabbing, Home Invasion and Arson in West Elsdon, Police Say

By Mauricio Peña | May 29, 2015 8:49am | Updated on May 30, 2015 8:53am

CHICAGO — Police are investigating a home invasion and fire that claimed the lives of two people in West Elsdon Thursday afternoon.

Around 2:50 p.m., Maria Herrera, 49, and Carlos Herrera, 22, were found dead in their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

According to the autopsy report, Carlos Herrera died from multiple stab wounds. As of Friday afternoon, Maria Herrera's autopsy report was pending, the Medical Examiner's offi reported.

Both bodies were discovered with fatal injuries, and it appeared that the suspects set the residence ablaze before leaving the scene, said Officer Janel Sedevic, a Chicago Police spokeswoman.

Neighbors were stunned to hear the news of the deaths in what they described as a placid street.

"It's a very calm street," said Sugey Lopez, 28, who moved to the block from Back of the Yards three months ago. "I moved here because I heard it was a quiet neighborhood."

Lopez was shaken up after learning about her neighbors' deaths. 

"The family was very nice, very calm, there's never been any problems. To know this happened to my neighbors really hurts me," Lopez said. "My kids were asking me what happened, but how do you explain this to young children."

Neighbors said Carlos Herrera lived in the home with his mother and father and 8-year-old brother.

"They were a very quiet, very calm family that mostly kept to themselves," said Virginia Bustillos, 60, who has been living in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. "This is all shocking because nothing like this happens here."

For some residents, the circumstances surrounding the incident were perplexing.

"It's not uncommon for burglaries and home invasions to happen in the neighborhood," said Ron Kotwasinski, who had his home broken into the past. "But the burglars don't stick around to get shot, they leave if there's anyone home.

"This just sounds very unusual."

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