Local True Crime: Unraveling the unsolved murder of Carmen Charneco

ELGIN — In the early morning hours of July 24, 1993, an Illinois State Police trooper discovered the body of 18-year-old Carmen Charneco lying dead in the front passenger seat of her blue 1985 Pontiac. Her vehicle had been parked on the shoulder of the Illinois Highway 25 entrance ramp to Interstate Highway 90 (I-90) in Elgin.

According to authorities at the time, her body was fully clothed and in a reclined position. Investigators revealed that not only had Charneco been strangled to death, but she was also four months pregnant with her first child.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Charneco’s parents, Susan and David, last saw their daughter at around 8 p.m. the night before her body was discovered. Since the murder occurred, Police have named Charneco’s ex-boyfriend, Edwin Acevedo Rodriguez of Elgin, as the main suspect in the case.

While the Charneco family told the Chicago Tribune that they never witnessed any signs of abuse between their daughter and Rodriguez, authorities did later discover that Rodriguez had a history of being violent with Charneco while the pair were dating. It was also believed that the motive for Charneco having broken up with Rodriguez was due to her finding out about his gang affiliation and extensive criminal history.

The Illinois State Police is currently offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of Rodriguez who would now be 51 years old. Rodriguez has not been charged with Charneco’s murder, however, the fact that he fled the Elgin area shortly after her body was discovered leads authorities to believe he may have more information on the case.

Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous. He has a history of drug and weapons charges and has been identified as a member of the street gang “Maniac Latin Disciples,” stated the Illinois State Police on their website.

Rodriguez has been sighted in the cities of Brooklyn, Bronx, and New York in the state of New York, where he also has relatives. He could also potentially be in Aguada, Aguadilla Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez has additionally been sighted in Hialeah, Florida. He is described as a Puerto Rican male who stands at approximately five feet and three to five inches tall. He has black hair and brown eyes.

When he was last seen in 1993, his weight was approximately 132 to 150 pounds. He has several tattoos including ones on his left and right thighs, right arm, forearm, and shoulder.

Anyone with information regarding the case should contact the Illinois State Police, Zone 1 Investigations at 847-294-4314.