DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced Tuesday that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial an Elmhurst man accused of stabbing to death 21-year-old Claudia Mojarrieta-Matos early last Saturday morning.
Santino Ortiz, 22, appeared in First Appearance Court Tuesday afternoon and was charged with six counts of first degree murder, one count of armed robbery (Class X felony) and one count of concealment of homicidal death (Class 3 felony).
On Dec. 6 at approximately 4:35 a.m., Elmhurst police officers responded to a 911 call of a missing person, later identified as Mojarrieta-Matos.
After speaking with the male complainant, it is alleged that he dropped Mojarrieta-Matos off at approximately 1:00 a.m., in the 600 block W. Lorraine Ave. in Elmhurst, to meet with another person, later identified as Ortiz. It should be noted that W. Lorraine Avenue and W. Belden Avenue are one block apart, run parallel, and Ortiz’s address is directly north of the Lorraine Avenue address where Mojarrieta-Matos was dropped off.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the 911 caller received a phone call from Mojarrieta-Matos during which he heard a struggle and the victim crying followed by an abrupt termination of the phone call.
When he returned to the area and was unable to locate Mojarrieta-Matos, he called 911 and filed the missing person report. Through the course of their investigation, the Elmhurst Police Department identified Ortiz as a suspect in Mojarrieta-Matos’ disappearance.
Officers with the Elmhurst Police Department contacted Ortiz, and he agreed to meet with them at the Elmhurst Police Department at approximately 4:30 p.m. that afternoon, where, after officers interviewed Ortiz, he was taken into custody.
It is alleged that Ortiz solicited Mojarrieta-Matos for prostitution and arranged to meet her in the 600 block of W. Lorraine Ave. It is further alleged that after Mojarrieta-Matos arrived at the W. Lorraine Ave. address, Ortiz led her into his garage. It is alleged that while in Ortiz’s garage, he grabbed Mojarrieta-Matos, forced her to the ground face down and repeatedly slammed her head on the garage floor.
It is alleged that Ortiz then got a knife out of his pocket and repeatedly stabbed Mojarrieta-Matos from behind. It is further alleged that Ortiz then wrapped her head in a garbage bag and put her body in a garbage can.
It is alleged that at approximately 8 a.m., Ortiz placed Mojarrieta-Matos’ body in his pickup truck, left his house and ultimately discarded Mojarrieta-Matos’ body in a rural area in Wadsworth, Ill., approximately 40 feet off the roadway, amongst some brush and trees.
An autopsy conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office found Mojarrieta-Matos had been stabbed approximately seven times in her face and head.
“I offer my sincere condolences to Claudia’s family and friends as they attempt to process this horrific loss,” Berlin said. “With a complete disregard for human life, Claudia’s young life was taken in a senseless, brutal act of violence, allegedly committed by Mr. Oritz. The type of violence alleged in this case will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their outstanding efforts in this case. Their commitment to justice led to the apprehension of the defendant approximately 12 hours after the original 911 call and the subsequent filing of first degree murder charges shortly thereafter.”
“On behalf of the Elmhurst Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends grieving her loss,” McLean said. “We remain committed to supporting them as this case moves forward. I want to recognize our officers, evidence technicians, and detectives for their dedication throughout this investigation in the pursuit of justice for Claudia. Their efforts, supported by the members of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, led to the swift apprehension of the defendant and the location of the victim in this tragic case.”
Ortiz’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 5 in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.