In the late evening hours of January 29, 2022, Francisco Zavala and two other men traveled together to a location just off Munger Road in Bartlett, near the Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve. The three men exited the vehicle and then, allegedly, two of the men shot Zavala multiple times before leaving the scene, killing him.
On Saturday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and the DuPage Forest Preserve District Police Chief Dave Pederson announced that bond has been set for a Round Lake Beach man accused of First Degree Murder. The accused, 31, appeared in Bond Court where Judge Susan Alvarado set his bond at $1 Million with 10% to apply.
“To the family and friends of Francisco Zavala, I offer my condolences on their tragic loss,” Berlin said. “I thank the DuPage Forest Preserve District Police Department and DuPage County MERIT for their outstanding work which led to the filing of First Degree Murder charges against [the accused]. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Nicole Wilkes-English for her efforts in preparing a strong case against this defendant.”
“It is my hope that knowing charges have been filed against the individual accused of murdering Francisco Zavala will provide some peace of mind to Mr. Zavala’s family,” Pederson said. “I thank DuPage County MERIT and our officers for their hard work on this case. I also thank State’s Attorney Berlin and his office for their legal guidance throughout the investigation.”
The accused’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 2, 2022 for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.
