Man Murdered His Mom, Their Dog: Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts

PLATTVILLE, IL — It's been three-and-a-half years since the slaying of 62-year-old Nancy Sales and her family dog at their house on Chicago Road inside the tiny town of Plattville, and a Kendall County jury has found her 30-year-old son responsible for both deaths, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced. Located between Route 47 and Grove Road, Plattville is near the expanding boundaries of Joliet's far west side as well as Plainfield and Oswego.

Weis issued a press release on Wednesday revealing that Kendall County Jail inmate Cody Sales of Plattville was guilty but mentally ill following his three-day jury trial on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated animal cruelty. Cody Sales was 26 when Kendall County arrested him during the summer of 2022 and he has remained in the Kendall County Jail ever since.

According to Weis, Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home of Nancy Sales back on June 25, 2022, for a well-being check. When deputies arrived, they were unable to make contact with Nancy but spoke with Cody Sales, the victim’s son. After several hours, deputies forced entry into the home and found Cody Sales had murdered Nancy Sales using a hammer.

Additionally, Cody Sales had killed the victim’s dog, Kendall County's top prosecutor revealed.

Cody Sales also had stabbed himself repeatedly prior to being arrested by law enforcement. Cody Sales admitted to the murder of his mother and killing the dog.

The recent three-day jury trial focused on Cody Sales' mental state at the time of his murder. The defense argued that Cody Sales was insane at the time of the murder and should not be held criminally responsible, according to the prosecution's press release.

Weis explained how his State’s Attorney’s Office presented evidence showing that while Cody Sales suffered from a mental illness, it did not impact his ability to know what he was doing was wrong and criminal.

"This included lying to the police, denying entry, covering up and moving the victim, and moving the murder weapon," Weis announced.

The jury found Cody Sales guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. Additionally, they found Cody Sales to be mentally ill at the time of his murder.

"This finding will not relieve Cody Sales of criminal reasonability and his prison sentence. It will require the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide the mental health services needed to Cody Sales while he serves his prison sentence," Weis stressed in his press release.

Cody Sales will be sentenced in late January of 2026. The young man from Plattville faces 20 to 60 years in prison for the murder conviction.

"The family of Nancy Sales will forever have to endure the pain of losing a loved one," Weis emphasized.

The case was prosecuted by Weis and felony Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Phelps. Cody Sales was represented by the Kendall County Public Defender’s Office. Jail records indicate Cody Sales lived at the murder house in the 6500 block of Chicago Road.