Man convicted of murder as a juvenile now accused of killing his 88-year-old mother, whose body was found rolled in a rug in their basement

66-Year-Old Man Accused of Murdering His 88-Year-Old Mother

A shocking crime has rocked the Far South Side community, as a 66-year-old man, Kevan Works, has been accused of beating and stabbing his 88-year-old mother, Daniest Graves, to death. The gruesome discovery was made when Graves’ body was found hidden behind a bookcase in the basement of their home. Works, who was convicted of first-degree murder as a juvenile 50 years ago, now faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of the homicidal death of his mother.

The events leading up to the discovery of Graves’ body are chilling. She went silent on March 27, missing her routine communication with family members and failing to show up for work and church services. Concerned, Graves’ sister visited their home, only to be physically blocked by Works from entering. This raised suspicions, prompting Graves’ sister to request a wellness check from the police.

Works initially claimed that he had not seen his mother since she left for work on March 27 and alleged that he had filed a missing person report. However, inconsistencies in his story, such as the locked bedroom door and reluctance to provide information about Graves’ car, raised red flags for investigators.

Following the discovery of Graves’ car and a witness’s account of Works’ suspicious behavior, police obtained a search warrant for the residence. In the basement, a room blocked by a bookcase was found, concealing Graves’ body wrapped in a large area rug and black garbage bags secured with duct tape. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Graves had suffered a catastrophic head injury and multiple blunt force injuries.

Ring video footage from a neighbor’s home implicated Works as the only person entering the house during the period of Graves’ disappearance, except for an unknown woman present for a brief period. Works’ criminal history, including previous felony convictions, further compounds the severity of the case.

This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of familial relationships and the potential for violence lurking beneath the surface. The community mourns the loss of Daniest Graves and seeks justice for her untimely death.