The bodies of 31-year-old Marian Cruz and her 4-year-old son, Corbin Barraza, were discovered in a home in the 1700-block of Mannheim Road, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Friday. There was a large police presence outside the home early Friday, as investigators collected evidence.
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Stone Park Police Chief Chris Pavini said Friday morning the deaths appear to be the result of "an isolated domestic-violence incident." As of 11 a.m. Friday, the cause of death has not been made clear.
Anthony Gomez, a neighbor, said he heard the woman's family members screaming Thursday night. He said what happened inside was gruesome.
"It was the mothers - and two other people - two other women and a young kid that were inside. They said that the little boy was dead. So, I went inside and I seen the little boy on the bed. I asked for the mom, and they said she was still there. When I go to the back, she was in the bathroom, face down. I mean... then I ran back outside," Gomez said.
Constantinos Kappas, who owns the building, said he rented the unit to Cruz back in August and that a boyfriend was also living there.
"The boy was coming up telling me, 'Senor, make me a sandwich,' and I ask him, 'How old are you?' 'Four, cuatro,'" Kappas said.
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The landlord said he thought it was strange that he didn't see her all day Thursday.
"I feel sorry for her and her boy," Kappas said.
"She was a good person, you know? She was a hard-working mom," Gomez said.
Cruz also had two other children, who live in another home. No one is in custody.