Man Arrested for Murder of Teen Found in Thatcher Woods

A man was arrested late this week in connection with the murder of a teenager whose body was found in Thatcher Woods last year, Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart announced in a release.

Carlos Martinez-Rodriguez, 36, was taken into custody Jan. 5 when he was returned to Cook County after living in New York City. Police had issued an arrest warrant for him Sept. 6 of last year after determining he shot and killed Fernando Casas, 19, late last May. The last time Martinez-Rodriguez was seen was with Casas.

Casas was from Stone Park. His remains were found in a plastic bag by Cook County police who responded to a death investigation at the Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve. His remains were found May 30, 2016 — he had been missing since May 9.

Martinez-Rodriguez has been charged with first degree murder. He was denied bond Friday in court.

He's next expected to appear in front of a judge Monday, Jan. 9 at the Maywood Courthouse.

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Mugshot via the Cook County Sheriff's Office