A migrant man in Illinois who tried to self-deport to Mexico will now face trial in north suburban Chicago for allegedly concealing the death of a 37-year-old woman found in his backyard. Authorities say 52-year-old Jose Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with hiding the death of Megan Bos, who was discovered inside a container at his home in Waukegan, Illinois.
Police said Bos had been missing for several weeks before her remains were found. Investigators believe she may have died from a fentanyl overdose at Mendoza-Gonzalez’s residence. The accused, who federal authorities confirmed is in the United States illegally, has also been charged with abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice.
The case sparked public outrage when a judge released Mendoza-Gonzalez pending trial under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which abolished cash bail. The law allows certain defendants to await trial outside of custody if they are not considered a flight or safety risk. However, the decision shocked Bos’ mother, Jennifer Bos, who said she was devastated to see her daughter’s alleged offender go free.
“I couldn’t believe that they could let somebody who kept a body in his yard and destroyed evidence go home the next day,” she told NewsNation. Her story gained national attention after she attended an event in Washington on the dangers of fentanyl, where she spoke directly to former President Donald Trump about her daughter’s case.
Trump reportedly told her, “Watch what happens.” Just three days later, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Mendoza-Gonzalez, sparking questions about whether he would be deported and avoid trial in the United States.
During a recent court hearing in Lake County, Illinois, a judge ruled that Mendoza-Gonzalez was a flight risk after he requested to return to Mexico. ICE has since transferred him back to local authorities, and he will remain in custody until his trial begins in January — a result Jennifer Bos described as “a small step toward justice.”
The case has reignited debate about Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which lawmakers introduced to ensure fairness in the justice system for those unable to afford bail. Yet some critics argue it may allow potentially dangerous individuals to go free before trial. “It’s fair to say there are good parts of the law,” Jennifer Bos said. “But it needs to be reviewed so that it protects victims as much as it helps defendants.”
Why is this case drawing so much public attention? Many believe it highlights the difficult balance between criminal justice reform and public safety. As the trial approaches, officials say Megan Bos’ death remains under investigation, with more details expected to emerge in the coming months.