2nd Man Charged with Murder in Beating Death of Teen Girl in Chicago Heights

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - A second suspect has been charged in the beating death of 17-year-old Melanie Valencia in Chicago Heights last week.

Martin Chavez, 22, of Chicago Heights turned himself in to Chicago Heights police on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Chicago Heights Police Department. He has been charged with first degree murder.

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Details weren't immediately available on Chavez' alleged connection to the death of Valencia, although previous reports indicate she was beaten to death by a group of people and dragged to the fence area of a home on Schilling Avenue. Chavez is scheduled to appear in bond court in Markham on Friday.

Chavez is the second to face charges in the death of Valencia, who was 17. Yerni Arriaga, a 17-year-old from Chicago Heights, faces a charge of first degree murder as an adult.

Photo via Chicago Heights Police Department