Juna Vega Montoya: Chicago man allegedly strangles pregnant woman to death after argument

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Juna Vega Montoya, a Chicago man, was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for the murder of a pregnant woman discovered inside a black plastic bag on November 29.

An autopsy report revealed that she was strangled while pregnant, as per FOX 32. 

As the investigation progressed, details surrounding the victim's distinctive life and the circumstances of her demise emerged.

What happened to Megan Lewis?

Megan Lewis, the victim, was discovered murdered and discarded on the side of a road in a distant suburb last month.

Significantly, her body was found on the east side of Hunt Club Road, just south of Route 173. Investigators, after analyzing surveillance footage, revealed that Juna Vega Montoya picked up Lewis on November 26 in the vicinity of Cicero Avenue and West Belden Avenue in Chicago.

According to the Sheriff’s office, an argument ensued between Vega-Montoya and Lewis during the drive, leading Montoya to allegedly strangle Lewis to death.

Moreover, it is alleged that Vega-Montoya then transported Lewis’ body to his residence and kept it in his vehicle for two days before disposing it on the side of the road during the overnight hours of November 28.

Juna Vega Montoya was arrested in Chicago

On Monday, December 11, Juan Vega-Montoya, aged 37, was apprehended during a traffic stop close to his residence, where additional evidence related to the homicide was discovered inside his vehicle.

Initially, he faced one count of concealing a homicidal death in Lake County.

Lake County prosecutors sought his pre-trial detention, concurrently transferring Vega-Montoya's case to the Chicago Police Department, as the murder is believed to have taken place in the Windy City.

The sheriff's office indicates that prosecutors in Cook County are expected to pursue murder charges against the alleged killer of Lewis.

“It is simply unconscionable to kill someone then dump their body on the side of a roadway, in a humiliating fashion,” Lake County Sheriff John D Idleburg said.

“I am very proud of the members of our Office who spent countless hours seeking evidence and searching for Megan’s killer. I am grateful for all of the agencies who assisted and worked to hold Megan’s killer accountable,” he said.