Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Decades After She Was Identified, the Killing of Eulalia Chavez Remains Unsolved
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace focuses on one of Illinois's most haunting cold cases: the unsolved 1986 murder of Eulalia "Lally" Chavez. Nearly four decades after her tragic death and years after she was finally identified, her killer remains unknown. Nancy Grace and her team detail the investigation, advances in forensic science, and renewed calls for public help, before providing brief coverage of recent national crime and justice headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Eulalia Chavez Cold Case

Discovery & Details of the Crime
- [00:01] John Laemmle recounts that Eulalia Chavez’s body was found in a remote cornfield near Lebanon, Illinois, on September 6, 1986.
- A farmer discovered her nude body, the victim of strangulation and brutal mutilation. The killer used Chavez's own clothing as a ligature.
- Disturbingly, "her killer cut her pelvic area and attempted to remove her reproductive organs." For decades, no suspect was identified.
Victim Identification and Background
- [00:45] In 2007, officials finally identified the body as 27-year-old Eulalia Chavez, a runaway from Palo Alto, California.
- Chavez had vanished in the mid-1970s while hitchhiking and following music concerts across the country, which complicated the original missing persons investigation.
Investigation and Current Efforts
- [01:15] Despite advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and composite imaging, law enforcement has yet to charge a suspect:
  
  "Despite technological advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and composite imaging, law enforcement has not charged a suspect." — John Laemmle [01:15]
- The FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) has renewed appeals for information, releasing a VICAP alert seeking any details about Chavez and her activities in the months before her death.
Public Call to Action
- Authorities urge anyone with information, "no matter how small," to come forward to aid the investigation.

Breaking National Crime & Justice News

Federal Civil Rights Probe – Minnesota Shooting
- [01:55] The DOJ and FBI have launched a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy, a Minneapolis nurse killed by federal immigration officers during a protest.
  - Preddy, documenting a border patrol operation, was shot after a legal firearm was taken from his waistband—video evidence contradicts agents' initial claims that he attacked officers.
  - The case has "sparked public outcry and renewed scrutiny of federal use of force in protest policing."
    
    "Footage reviewed by officials showed Preddy holding only a cell phone when officers tackled him and later being shot after a firearm for which he held a legal permit was removed from his waistband." — John Laemmle [02:30]
Louisiana Parade Shooting
- [03:35] Two juveniles arrested in connection with a weekend shooting during a community parade, resulting in multiple victims, including a hospitalized child.
  - Suspects charged with aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.
Jailbreak in Louisiana
- [04:28] All eight inmates who escaped from a parish jail have been recaptured after a multi-agency manhunt.
  - No injuries reported; inmates will face additional charges and officials are reviewing security protocols.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Eulalia Chavez case:

"The body of Eulalia Lally Chavez was discovered almost 40 years ago in a remote cornfield near Lebanon, Illinois... Authorities later learned she had been strangled with her own clothing, and evidence at the scene suggested signs of extreme violence." — John Laemmle [00:10–00:25]
On advances in forensics:

"Despite technological advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and composite imaging, law enforcement has not charged a suspect." — John Laemmle [01:15]
On the unresolved nature:

"Authorities are urging anyone with details, no matter how small, to come forward." — John Laemmle [01:30]
On Alex Preddy shooting:

"Footage reviewed by officials showed Preddy holding only a cell phone when officers tackled him and later being shot after a firearm for which he held a legal permit was removed from his waistband." — John Laemmle [02:30]

Important Timestamps

[00:01–01:38] — The Eulalia Chavez case: background, discovery, investigation, current status.
[01:55–05:21] — National crime headlines:
- [01:55] Minnesota: Alex Preddy shooting & DOJ investigation
- [03:35] Louisiana: Community parade shooting & juvenile arrests
- [04:28] Louisiana: Recapture of escaped parish jail inmates

Tone & Style

The narration is serious, urgent, and advocates action, especially regarding unresolved cases and appeals for public assistance.
The tone balances respectful commemoration of victims with investigative rigor and a commitment to justice.

Summary Conclusion

This episode spotlights the enduring quest for answers in the murder of Eulalia Chavez. Decades after her identity was solved, justice for her remains elusive. The episode calls for public assistance, highlights the role of advancing forensics, and incorporates pressing national crime stories, maintaining Nancy Grace's trademark focus: unflinching attention to justice and victim advocacy.

Loading summary

Transcript5 lines

[00:01]
A
CRIME Alert I'm John Laemmle at the sour A decades old mystery remains unsolved in the heartland. Investigators are renewing calls for public assistance in one of Illinois's most haunting cold cases. The body of Eulalia Lally Chavez was discovered almost 40 years ago in a remote cornfield near Lebanon, Illinois. On September 6, 1986, a farmer found her nude body off Oak Grove School Road strangled and brutally mutilated. Authorities later learned she had been strangled with her own clothing, and evidence at the scene suggested signs of extreme violence. Her killer cut her pelvic area and attempted to remove her reproductive organs, but no suspect was ever identified for more than three decades. The case went cold. In 2007, the victim was finally identified as 27 year old Chavez, a runaway from Palo Alto, California who had vanished in the mid-1970s while hitchhiking and following music concerts across the country. Despite technological advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and composite imaging, law enforcement has not charged a suspect. The FBI's violent criminal apprehension Program has issued a VICAP alert seeking information about Chavez and anyone connected to her in the months before her death. Authorities are urging anyone with details, no matter how small, to come forward.
[01:39]
B
Thanks John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after this. Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news.
[01:55]
A
Crime Online's John Laemmle Federal authorities have launched a civil rights investigation into a controversial fatal shooting in Minnesota. The U.S. department of justice has announced a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretty, a 37 year old Minneapolis resident and intensive care nurse who was shot and killed by federal immigration officers during a protest earlier this year. The FBI is now leading the inquiry after taking over from the Department of Homeland Security. Preddy was shot on January 24 while documenting a federal Border Patrol operation as part of an immigration enforcement video. Footage reviewed by officials showed Preddy holding only a cell phone when officers tackled him and later being shot after a firearm for which he held a legal permit was removed from his waistband. Early claims by federal officials that Preddy had attacked officers were contradicted by those videos, which show he did not reach for the weapon. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch said investigators are examining all aspects of the encount leading up to the shooting. The decision to open a civil rights probe stands in contrast to the Justice Department's earlier handling of another recent Minneapolis law enforcement shooting. The case has sparked public outcry and renewed scrutiny of federal use of force in protest Policing In Louisiana, authorities have arrested two teenagers in connection with a weekend shooting that injured multiple people during a community parade, the law enforcement officials say. The suspects, both juveniles, were taken into custody following the chaotic incident that left at least one child among the wounded, according to local prosecutors. The shooting occurred in a residential area where families had gathered to watch a festive procession. Police have not yet released the names of those arrested due to their age. Investigators report that several of the victims were struck by gunfire and at least one child was hospitalized with non life threatening injuries. Injuries Authorities have charged the suspects with multiple counts related to aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement as the investigation continues. And finally, also from Louisiana, all eight inmates who escaped from a parish jail last week have now been captured. Authorities confirmed that the group broke out of the facility under unclear circumstances, prompting an immediate manhunt that extended across multiple parishes. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies worked around the clock to track down the fugitives. Over the course of the search, officers apprehended all escapees without any reported injuries to residents or responding personnel. Those captured are now back in custody, and parish officials say they will face additional charges related to the escape itself, along with any outstanding warrants they may have had prior to fleeing. The Sheriff's Department announced a review of the facility's security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
[05:21]
B
Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace. This is an iHeart podcast.
[05:42]
A
Guaranteed Human.