Police continue to investigate Friday the death of a 15-year-old Glenview boy who was found Wednesday evening with a stab wound to his chest.
On Friday, police said the investigation is active but declined to give any further details or answer questions about the crime.
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“Specifics regarding the investigation will not be released while the investigation is ongoing. We encourage citizens to call the tip line with any information,” said Sgt. Jim Foley, a Glenview police spokesman, in an email.
An autopsy on Thursday determined Elias J. Valdez died of a stab wound to the chest, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Valdez, of the 10400 block of Dearlove Road, was found lying in a grassy area in the 1200 block of Greenwood Road shortly after 7 p.m., police said in a news release.
A passerby called 911, Foley said.
Valdez was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, but died in surgery at 8:52 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office and police.
On Friday morning, the area where Valdez was found was quiet with only a small piece of yellow police tape remaining. The area is a patch of tall grass between a subdivision, a few homes and a water pumping station.
Dina Manzella, who lives near the spot where Valdez was discovered, said she was watching the news Wednesday night when she saw lights flashing through her window.
She stepped outside and was surprised to see police cars and fire trucks surrounding the front of her home. She said the area is usually very safe and quiet.
Manzella said she didn’t know the boy, but hopes that someone passing by might have seen something.
“It’s sad, such a young boy,” Manzella said.
Valdez was a rising sophomore at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, according to an email sent to the school community by Principal Lauren Fagel.
Fagel called Valdez a “kind, charismatic young man who exhibited great leadership qualities.”
Valdez was a member of the school’s wrestling team.
“Elias really connected with wrestling, and he seemed to have found the brotherhood among his teammates that is often provided by sport,” Fagel wrote. “We’re glad we had the time we did have with Elias and know a void has been left.”
In a statement from wrestling coaches Pat Castillo and Chris Albandia provided by the school, they described Valdez as having “natural ability, coupled with drive and work ethic.”
Fagel described Valdez as a student who was devoted to his family, was quick to make friends and could always make others feel welcome.
On Friday, Glenbrook South offered support services to students and staff both in person and through Zoom. About a dozen students had arrived at the school Friday morning to take advantage of the services, according to school administrators.
Superintendent Charles Johns said Friday morning outside the school that the situation is hard on students and staff and they want to provide as much support as they can.
Valdez’s death marks the first time since 2004 the village has had a homicide, Foley said. Steven L. Zirko was charged with murdering his companion, Mary Lacy, 38, and her mother, Margaret Ballog, 60, in Lacy’s Glenview home on Dec. 13, 2004.
The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force is actively investigating the crime.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police tip line, 847-901-6055, or via email, [email protected].
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Rosemary Sobol contributed.