Update: Murder Victim ID'd, Died from 'Blunt Force Injuries': Coroner

Update/1 p.m. Tuesday:

The man allegedly murdered by Francis Zabala has been identified by the Will County coroner's office as 49-year-old Robert Meredith Jr.

An autopsy conducted on Meredith Monday identified the cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries," a coroner's office statement said.


Original post/9:40 a.m. Tuesday:

A Joliet man who allegedly killed a mentally challenged in-law who lived with him has been charged with murder, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.

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Francis P. Zabala, 52, 3837 Bergstrom, was arrested early this morning in connection with the death of a 49-year-old victim, who died Saturday night at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Benton said.


Police were called to the hospital at about 9:30 p.m. because of the "severe bruising" noted on the victim's back, he said. The victim has not been identified pending notification of family members.

Family members who called 911 were interviewed, and their statements were enough for police investigators to obtain a search warrant for the Bergstrom house where both Zabala and the victim lived, Benton said.

There, police recovered evidence that supported the murder charge filed against Zabala, he said. Benton declined to provide any additional details on what was found.

Zabala also "made statements that gave us probable cause for his arrest," Benton said.

"The arrested subject was a caretaker of some type for the victim," Benton said. "At this point, it appears to be an abuse situation."

Zabala is being held in Will County jail pending a bond hearing this afternoon. More details will be available after that proceeding.