Tragic Crime in Roseland: Kevan Works Charged in Shocking Murder of 88-Year-Old Woman on South Lafayette Avenue

An unsettling tragedy unfolded this week on Chicago’s South Side, where an elderly woman was discovered dead, leading to charges against her son.

Kevan Works, aged 66, faces serious charges including first-degree murder and concealing a death, according to Chicago police. The victim, identified as his 88-year-old mother, had been reported missing roughly two weeks before her body was found.

The grim discovery took place on Tuesday at a residence along the 10700 block of South Lafayette Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood. Following the discovery, authorities swiftly arrested Kevan Works at the scene.

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The suspect’s brother confirmed to ABC7 that the victim was indeed their mother, shedding light on a heartbreaking family tragedy. As the community grapples with this shocking event, questions remain about the circumstances leading to the elderly woman’s death.

This case, marked by its disturbing nature, has left a somber mark on the community, as investigators continue to piece together the details surrounding this tragic incident.

“Is Kevan capable of killing her? Yes,” Michael Works said. “Did I believe he did it? I don’t know.”

Michael Works doesn’t want to believe his missing mother Daniest Graves has been found dead after allegedly being murdered by his own brother.

Michael Works says his brother has a temper and had been to prison, but had turned his life around, even writing a book and owning his own digital company.

“Is it in him… to do it?” Michael Works said. “Well, we have ever imagined him to touch our mother, no.”

Investigators told Michael Works his mother’s body was found wrapped in a sheet and a rug in the basement of her own Roseland home.

Relatives say Kevan Works had lived there with his mother for the last few months. No motive for the murder was given, as some nearby residents have been left shaken by the violence.

“Put it like this, I’m just really shocked because they said she might of dead,” one neighborhood resident said.

Graves’ family says she was reported missing after she was last seen on March 27. Her gray 2021 Ford Echo with Illinois plates was found on Chicago’s West Side.

Thursday afternoon, as her family grieves, Daniest Graves is being remembered as a church going woman who loved helping people. She received her college degree in her 80s and had just started a part time job working with the community so she could stay busy.

“It crushes you, but she’ll live on as long as you remember for the good that she did and she was true to heart and anybody who knows her will say it in a minute,” Michael Works said.

Chicago police continue to investigate.

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