Nationwide — Daniest Graves, an 88-year-old African American woman from Chicago, Illinois, has been found dead in her home after being reported missing for nearly two weeks. Her son, 66-year-old Kevan Works, was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder and concealing her body.
Chicago police said they arrested Works and charged him with first-degree murder and concealing a death. Officers discovered Graves’ body inside a home in the 10700 block of South Lafayette Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side.
The investigation began after Graves was reported missing nearly two weeks earlier. Concern grew when her gray 2021 Ford Eco was found abandoned on the West Side of Chicago.
Police said her body was found wrapped in a sheet and rug in the basement of the home where Kevan Works had been staying on and off in recent months.
Family members said the discovery left them shocked and struggling to understand what happened. Michael Works, the victim’s son and the suspect’s brother, said the family never expected violence involving their mother. He said his brother had a past involving prison time, but claimed he had tried to rebuild his life.
“Is Kevan capable of killing her? Yes. Did I believe he did it? I don’t know,” Michael Works told ABC 7 Chicago. “Is it in him… to do it? Would we have ever imagined him to touch our mother? No.”
Another relative, McNemon Vincent, who is Kevan Works’ son, said the family first sensed something was wrong when Graves’ daily inspirational text messages suddenly stopped during her disappearance.
“There’s certain stipulations because he is a drug addict and he is a thief,” McNemon Vincent said. “It makes absolutely no sense to me. like this woman… it’s your mother… any and everything that she could do for him, she did. And he took everything from her.”
Graves was described by her family as a devoted churchgoer who stayed active in her community. She earned a college degree in her 80s and recently began part-time work to keep herself engaged.
Police have not shared a clear motive for the killing. Authorities continue to investigate the Chicago South Side murder case as the family prepares for funeral arrangements and the legal process moves forward.