The victim was identified as Lucia Gonzales, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. They called the death a homicide.
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Gonzales' three children were in the home at the time, but were not harmed. Her 6-year-old son found her body in the kitchen and went next door with his 1- and 2-year-old siblings. A neighbor then called police.
At about 6 a.m., police responded to the home in the 7500-block of Alexander Avenue. Gonzales lived in the home with her children and boyfriend.
No one was in custody Tuesday afternoon, and a motive was not determined, police said.
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Family members at the scene were crying and in disbelief. They remembered her as a creative person who loved to cook. They said they don't know who would want to hurt her.
"They are quiet people, you see them play outside with the kids," said Jessica Tate, who lives in the neighborhood.
Friends said that Gonzalez - known as Lucy to some - worked as a babysitter for many families in the area.