Illinois Woman's 2020 Murder Finally Sees Arrest

What should have been a peaceful stroll through the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve turned into a nightmare for 22-year-old Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez and her family. On Nov. 2, 2020, Ceja-Ramirez set off on a walk with her mother but decided to separate, planning to meet back at the car. Tragically, she never made it.

A Walk That Turned Into a Nightmare

Two days later, Ceja-Ramirez's partially burned body was found in the woods. An autopsy confirmed the horrifying details: she had been strangled, and there was evidence of sexual assault. The case shocked the community, leaving her loved ones devastated and desperate for answers.

The Search for a Suspect

For more than four years, law enforcement worked tirelessly to track down Ceja-Ramirez's killer. Detectives executed dozens of search warrants, combed through digital evidence, and submitted DNA for testing.

Their persistence paid off. Authorities announced that 30-year-old Dakota Petrey had been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault in connection with Ceja-Ramirez's death.

Petrey, who lived in Oak Forest at the time, was allegedly tied to the crime through DNA evidence. Investigators also noted that Ceja-Ramirez's phone had last pinged near his apartment after her disappearance. Though he was known to frequent the Midlothian Meadows area, police found no indication that he and Ceja-Ramirez had ever met before that fateful day.

Arrest After Years Behind Bars on Unrelated Charges

Petrey's arrest came on Jan. 18, 2025, but he wasn't exactly new to the criminal justice system. He had been sitting in Fulton County Jail since October 2024 on unrelated charges. The moment he was released, Cook County authorities were waiting for him.

During his first court appearance, the judge ordered Petrey to remain detained pending trial. As of now, it is unclear if he has entered a plea or retained legal representation.

A Family's Heartbreak

Ceja-Ramirez's murder left an unfillable void in the hearts of those who knew her. Her loss hit the community and her family hard.

"She's just somebody that we believed in, that had our future in her hands, just like most of our kids here," her uncle, Alejandro Villegas, remembered, as reported by PEOPLE. "She was a sweet child that was humble, smiled, shy. She was a good person. And she just didn't deserve anything of this."

For Vanessa's family, Petrey's arrest is a step toward justice, but it does little to ease their grief.

The Fight for Justice

Sheriff Thomas Dart commended the relentless work of investigators, emphasizing the gravity of the case.

"This heinous crime is every parent's worst nightmare," Dart said according to PEOPLE. "It took years of tireless work by our police detectives to investigate this case, but we never gave up on finding Vanessa's killer and seeking justice for her and her family."

While Petrey awaits trial, Vanessa's loved ones continue to mourn the bright future stolen from her. Justice may be on the horizon, but the pain of her loss remains.

References: Woman Vanished on a Hike with Mom and Was Later Found Slain in Woods. 4 Years Later, Suspect Is Arrested | Man charged with 2020 murder of Harvey woman who disappeared on walk in Midlothian forest preserve