ROMEVILLE, IL – A man implicated in the murder of a family of four in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago, was discovered deceased in a burning vehicle in Oklahoma, according to law enforcement officials on Wednesday. Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood, Illinois, and a woman believed to be in a relationship with him were both initially identified as persons of interest. However, the woman was later reported missing and potentially in danger by her family on Tuesday evening, stated Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne.
A vehicle associated with Huey was detected by a license plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma. When law enforcement attempted to halt the vehicle, it reportedly sped off. The car subsequently crashed and ignited, during which officers on the scene reported hearing what they believed to be gunshots, Burne explained.
Upon inspection, officers discovered a critically injured woman. They also found a man in the driver’s seat who suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The man is presumed to be Huey, according to a police statement. The brutal murders of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two young sons, aged 7 and 9, have left the Romeoville community in shock.
Burne indicated that evidence has established a connection between the suspect and the victims, as well as a potential motive, although he declined to provide further details. Despite Huey being identified as a suspect, the investigation remains active and ongoing, as stated in a police report.
Authorities have ruled out any of the victims as the potential shooter, describing the murders as a targeted attack that occurred between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning. The victims were discovered on Sunday evening after family member asked for a welfare check due to one of the victims failing to report to work.