Slain Man's Next-door Neighbor Jailed Friday Night on Murder Charge

JOLIET, IL — The next-door neighbor of a man found beaten to death outside his east side home was jailed on a murder charge Friday night.

Blaique Morgan, 19, allegedly killed his 62-year-old neighbor Robert Bielec Thursday night.

A second person was also charged with Bielec’s murder but had yet to be identified, according to a police source.

An unidentified person who lived with Bielec reportedly told deputies of hearing a conversation outside their Houston Avenue home and then a loud noise shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday.

“The individual went outside and discovered the victim ... on the ground (and) unresponsive,” police said.

An autopsy performed Friday showed Bielec had been killed by blunt force trauma, according to Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil’s office.

Bielec’s goddaughter Angela Zamora said he loved to ride his motorcycle.

Bielec’s former girlfriend, Debra Jackson, said the police stopped by her residence to speak with her Friday but she had no information for them.

“I’m a former girlfriend, one of about three and a half, four years ago,” said Jackson.

“I was sorry to hear it happened, but I don’t know anything about it,” she said.

In February, Morgan was charged with attacking two Joliet police officers. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of battery. A felony charge of aggravated battery to a police officer was dismissed.