Girlfriend’s grief after hardworking partner is mysteriously found dead while delivering food for Uber Eats on her son’s birthday
An Illinois woman says she’s been left ‘confused and lost’ after her boyfriend was killed during an attempted car theft on his last Uber Eats delivery of the night.
Daniel Figueroa, 28, was found dead in the middle of West Flournoy Street in the Austin neighborhood on Monday, just after completing his final delivery and on his way home to celebrate his girlfriend’s son’s birthday, according to ABC 7 News.
While his cause of death remains unclear, police sources told WGN 9 News that a confrontation with three suspects attempting to steal his van turned deadly.
Authorities launched a homicide investigation and announced that a person of interest was taken into custody later that same afternoon.
In an emotional interview with ABC, Sandra Guerrero, Figueroa’s girlfriend, said: ‘I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m sad. I don’t know what to do.’
‘I shouldn’t have to picture my boyfriend like that,’ she added. ‘Somebody who I wanted to marry.’
‘Today, it’s my son’s birthday. We had the whole day planned out for him to spend it with him. And it, just, I can’t believe it right now.’
On Sunday evening, Figueroa, who juggled multiple jobs to support his family, had just left his shift at Amazon and planned to work extra hours for Uber Eats, Guerrero told the outlet.
Sandra Guerrero (left), of Illinois, said she’s ‘confused and lost’ after her boyfriend, 28-year-old Daniel Figueroa (right), was killed in an attempted car theft while delivering for Uber Eats
Figueroa was found dead in the middle of West Flournoy Street near Loretto Hospital early Monday, just after completing his final delivery and on his way home to celebrate his girlfriend’s son’s birthday
In an emotional interview with ABC, Sandra Guerrero (pictured), Figueroa’s girlfriend, said: ‘I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m sad. I don’t know what to do’
But her boyfriend never made it home and was found lying unresponsive in the street around 2:05am near Loretto Hospital.
Figueroa was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour later, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
‘I didn’t get no texts or no call from him until his mom reached out to me at seven in the morning saying he had passed away,’ Guerrero told ABC.
Police sources later revealed that Figueroa was delivering food to a doctor at Loretto Hospital, who found him sprawled out in the street when he stepped out to get his order, according to WGN 9 News.
Hospital workers handed investigators surveillance footage showing that Figueroa had already dropped off the food when three suspects approached him in an attempt to steal his van.
Authorities said the unnamed individuals dragged Figueroa for about half a block as he tried to get into his car, then ran from the scene.
‘I hope my son didn’t suffer. He didn’t deserve this. Not one bit. He was a good kid,’ Figueroa’s father, Carlos Figueroa, told the outlet.
‘He was on his way home. This was going to be his last stop,’ he added. ‘He was just trying to do something for himself out there.’
Authorities launched a homicide investigation and announced that a person of interest was taken into custody on Monday afternoon (pictured: Figueroa)
Authorities said three suspects approached Figueroa (pictured with mother) in an attempt to steal his van and dragged him for about half a block as he tried to get into his car. They then fled the scene
On Monday afternoon, authorities took a woman into custody behind the wheel of Figueroa’s stolen van, which was also recovered, sources told WGN.
While police haven’t released suspect descriptions, sources said the video appeared to show two women and one man climbing into Figueroa’s van.
Autopsy results from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of his death are still pending, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
‘He was my youngest son, and now I have to bury him because someone decided to take his life,’ Figueroa’s father told WGN.
‘I’m hollow inside. I don’t know what to do,’ he added. ‘I have to deal with this now and for the rest of my life.’
Area Four detectives are now leading the investigation into his death, according to the outlet.
Figueroa’s father said his son grew up in Downers Grove and continued living there with Guerrero and her child, whom he loved and treated like his own, according to the outlet.
Both he and Guerrero described Figueroa as a hardworking, devoted family man who loved people, helping others and fishing – so much so he even had a fishing pole tattooed on his finger.
Figueroa’s (right) father, Carlos Figueroa (center), told WGN: ‘I hope my son didn’t suffer. He didn’t deserve this. Not one bit. He was a good kid’
On Monday afternoon, authorities took a woman into custody behind the wheel of Figueroa’s (pictured) stolen van, which was also recovered
Figueroa’s father said his son grew up in Downers Grove and continued living there with Guerrero and her child, whom he loved and treated like his own (all three pictured)
‘My heart’s broken. As a parent, I don’t wish this upon anybody, and I don’t know what to do from here,’ he added.
In a statement to Facebook, Eleanor Rivera, Figueroa’s mother, wrote: ‘I still don’t have words to share on the passing of my youngest son. He was my baby with a bond that no one could break.’
‘As this is a homicide under investigation, there is not much I can share, just that I will never have my son back in my arms,’ she added.
The hospital is fully cooperating with authorities and said in a statement that their ‘prayers and condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones,’ according to WGN.
‘Our focus remains on supporting the safety, health, and well-being of the community we serve during this difficult time,’ the statement added.
Uber told the outlet it is ‘incredibly saddened by this tragic loss, and our thoughts are with their family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginably difficult time. We’ve reached out to police and will assist them however we can.’
Guerrero has since launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, outstanding bills and provide short-term financial stability.
‘He was the main provider for our home and the person I shared my life with. His passing has left not only an emotional void, but also a sudden financial burden that I never expected to face,’ the fundraiser read.
In a Facebook statement, Eleanor Rivera (center), Figueroa’s (left) mother, wrote: ‘I still don’t have words to share on the passing of my youngest son. He was my baby with a bond that no one could break’
Guerrero described Figueroa (pictured) as a hardworking, devoted family man who loved people, helping others and fishing
‘Every day brings new challenges as I try to find a way forward for myself and our child,’ it added.
‘The weight of these responsibilities is overwhelming, and I am doing my best to stay strong for our family.’
Figueroa’s father urged anyone with information to come forward and leave an anonymous tip with police at cpdtip.com.
‘This way, there can be some kind of justice for my son, and he didn’t die in vain,’ he told WGN. ‘I would appreciate it.’
