The Misery Machine - The Case of Marlen Ochoa Lopez & Yovanny Lopez

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Starting point is 00:02:39 We aim to provide informative, factual journalism on a tragic event in the public interest that is not dismiss its seriousness. All clips are used under the doctrine of fair use for news reporting and analysis. Marlon Ochoa Urustei Lopez was born on November 16, 1999 in Mexico. She was the daughter of Arnolfo Ochoa and Raquel Uruzzi. Steggy, who brought her to the United States when she was just two years old in hopes of giving her a better life. Along with her family, she grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. Marlene's parents had separated by the time she was in her late teens, and both Arnolfo and Raquel had moved on with separate

Starting point is 00:03:17 partners. Friends and family described Marlen as a sweet and beautiful young woman who was always smiling and full of joy. Physically, she was petite, about five foot three inches tall, 125 pounds with warm brown eyes and long brown hair. Those who knew her say that Marlon had a gentle presence. She was the type of person who could find humor in everything and bring a smile to others, earning her the endearing description of an angel from her mother. Her father fondly remembered how playful she was with him. He said that she was always smiling, always had a smile on her face. Even from a young age, she carried a bright optimism about the future. Marlene was really interested in beauty products and as early as eight years old, she would sneak

Starting point is 00:04:04 into her mother's makeup and love to play around with eyeliner. Even as she grew up, whenever she was free, she would watch tutorials on YouTube. She then tested her skills on her friends and took selfies of her elaborate looks. According to her father, she also liked designing clothes. Marlon eventually wanted to pursue modeling and also wanted to be a singer one day. She was also active in her church community and found strength. in her faith. Arnulfo, her father, said he had come to America to give Marlen opportunities, and she was determined to seize them. Marlen balanced the responsibilities of school and family.

Starting point is 00:04:41 She attended Des Moines-Rosevelt High School in an alternative program at Scobo High School. By her late teens, Marlene married Yovani Lopez, Pastor Carlos Tamey, who had known Marlon's family for years officiated the wedding. Soon, Marlene became a young mother after she gave birth to a son and embrace motherhood with devotion and love. Her husband later emphasized that Marlen was a smart woman and a good student who wanted to do great things. Balancing school and parenting was difficult, but she never neglected her studies or her toddler. Yovani was also gentle and hardworking, and he cherished Marlon and their baby boy. Support their growing family. Yovani planned to move to Chicago so he could work in his family's business. Marlene and Yovani were both living in Chicago by

Starting point is 00:05:26 2019 and Marlen transferred to Latino youth high school in Pilsen to continue her education. She was pregnant once again by the spring of 2019. Her due date was May 5th. The last time our Nolfo saw Marlen was over Christmas, but he made sure they spoke almost every day through phone calls, Facebook messenger, or FaceTime. Marlene regularly sent him photos and videos showing her growing belly as well. Marlen eventually joined a Facebook group called Help a Mother Out, where local moms could share tips and sometimes donate gently used baby items to those in need. With her due date approaching, Marlene was grateful when a woman in the group offered her some free baby clothes in a stroller.

Starting point is 00:06:08 The woman was 46-year-old Clarissa Figueroa and she had told Marlene that she had extra newborn items to give away. She invited Marlene to come to her home to pick them all up. His kind offer seemed like a blessing. Marlene was 19 and preparing for a new baby on a limited budget so any help was welcome. Larissa's own adult son, Zander, had died of natural causes in 2018 at the age of 20. The loss of her son devastated her. She desperately wanted another baby and began telling people in October of 2018 that she was pregnant again.

Starting point is 00:06:44 In reality, she couldn't have any more children she had previously had her tubes tied after her earlier pregnancies. Family members, especially her 24-year-old daughter Desiree, were surprised by her pregnancy claim. Clarissa even posted what she claimed was an ultrasound image on Facebook and prepared a nursery room with the crib and decorations, trying to convince everyone that a baby was on the way. On April 1st, 2019, about three weeks before Marlon's due date, Larissa told Desiree she needed her help. She said she wanted to kill a pregnant woman and steal her baby. Fortunately, Marlon would be her target. That very same day, Clarissa alert Marlon and

Starting point is 00:07:26 into her house under the pretense of giving her baby supplies for free. Marlen, trusting and eager to provide for her baby, went to Clarissa's home in Chicago's Scottsdale neighborhood. Lursa had intended to kill Marlen on April 1st, but Desiree lost her nerve at the last minute and refused to go through with it. Clarissa's living boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobach, was also present, and was alarmed by what the two were plotting. Even threatened to call the police if they tried to harm Marlene that day. As a result, During that first meeting, no harm ever came to Marlen. I don't know about you, but I don't think I could comfortably sleep under the same roof with somebody who was thinking about killing a pregnant woman and stealing her baby.

Starting point is 00:08:06 I don't exactly know what was going through Piotr's head, but the fact that they didn't go through with it was enough to stop him from calling the police. Marlene was given some baby clothes, and she thought that the encounter was just a kind favor from a stranger. Carrissa had not given up on her plan. Over the next couple of weeks, she continued to gain Marlen's trust via Facebook messages. As for Marlen, who was nine months pregnant and grateful for help, there was little reason to suspect the older woman's intentions. ERISA had a room decorated for a baby, stockpiled baby supplies, and kept up the charade of being due to give birth any day herself.

Starting point is 00:08:44 On April 23, 2019, Marlene went to school as usual. Around 1040 in the morning, Marlene messaged Yovani, saying she thought she might be going into labor. Yovani offered to come get her immediately, but she told them to hold off. Surveillance video later confirmed that around 3 p.m. Marlen left the school campus alone. She was reportedly wearing a gray sweater, maroon school shirt with a Latino youth high school logo and sweatpants. She was supposed to pick up their son from daycare that afternoon, but before that, she got into her Black Honda Civic and drove towards Clarissa's house to pick up some more baby items. When Marlen arrived, Clarissa and her family distracted her by showing her a photo

Starting point is 00:09:27 album of Clarissa's late son Zander. That's when Clarissa silently moved behind the couch. In a sudden attack, Clarissa looped a thick cable around Marlon's neck and from behind began to strangle her. Marlen reacted in terror and fought fiercely for her life. Though heavily pregnant, she got her fingers under the court to try to keep it from crushing her throat. Seeing her mother struggling to fully subdue the teenager, Desiree jumped in. Clarissa allegedly screamed at her daughter, You're not doing your effing job, which was in order to help finish the murder. Desiree then pried Marlene's fingers away, one by one from the cord, while Clarissa pulled it tighter.

Starting point is 00:10:10 Marlen's resistance slowly weakened. Larissa strangled Marlen for four to five minutes until the young mother went limp and showed no signs. of life. With Marlin lying unresponsive on the floor, Clarissa immediately turned her attention to the unborn baby. She grabbed a large butcher knife and used it to slice open Marlon's abdomen from side to side. She cut deep into the uterus and removed the baby boy from Marlon's womb along with the umbilical cord and placenta. The baby was alive, but he was in critical condition. It wasn't crying or breathing properly. The trauma of the birth caused the baby to be oxygen deprived from the start. Meanwhile, blood was everywhere in the living room.

Starting point is 00:10:50 Larissa and Desiree then wrapped Marlin's body in a blanket and stuffed it into a large plastic trash bag. Together, the mother and daughter lugged the bag outside and deposited it in a garbage can in the backyard. Then they tried to clean up the crime scene. Later, evidence showed they scrub blood from the floors and the walls. In those moments after the murder, Clarissa called 911, claiming that she had just given birth at home and that her newborn baby was not breathing. The 911 call Clarissa sounded frantic, pleading help for her baby. Within minutes, first responders arrived at Clarissa's house, and Clarissa came to the door carrying a newborn infant. Baby boy was blue in color, showing no signs of adequate oxygen.

Starting point is 00:11:31 Paramedics immediately began resuscitation efforts. Typically, a woman who has delivered a baby would be bleeding and showing postpartum symptoms, but Marissa did not. Paramedics rushed the infant, along with Carissa, to advocate Christ's Medical Center in Oakland. We have no idea what exactly Piotr was doing while this happened or if he was even home at the time. Accounts of this vary depending on who you talk to. However, one account claims that Desire and Piotr stayed behind to continue cleaning up and to figure out what to do with Marlon's remains. This podcast is brought to you by Carvana. Selling your car should feel like one less thing on your list.

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Starting point is 00:12:26 Visit carvana.com to sell your car today. Carvana. Delivery fees and terms may apply. By the evening around 6 p.m., Marlne's mother Raquel received a call from Yovani. He was worried because Marlene hadn't shown up to collect their child. Raquel remembered how tough Marlene's pregnancy had been, especially during the early months when nausea was constant. She figured maybe Marlene had decided to go to the hospital instead. Worried, Raquel and Marlene's stepfather started reaching out to hospitals hoping to find any sign of her.

Starting point is 00:13:00 When they couldn't, they went to the 8th District Chicago Lawn Police Station to report her missing. But Raquel was told that they needed to wait 24 hours before filing a report. Raquel described leaving voicemail after voicemail, bleeding into the phone for Marlan to tell her where she was. Meanwhile, Marlen's father Arnolfo was in Iowa when his ex-wife called with the troubling news. Known for being quiet and devout, Arnolfo said he made sure his son was cared for by his church community before rushing to Chicago himself. Rquel and her friend Maria Castro went on yet another round of hospital visits, determined to find answers. Around midday, they tried once more at the 10th District Ogden Police Station to open a missing persons case, but officers told them only Marlen's husband could open the report.

Starting point is 00:13:52 Later on, Yovani made his way to the 11th District Westside Police Station to formally report her missing. Despite this, police wouldn't make any public appeal for another two days, even though Marlen was near full term and in a high-risk pregnancy. By the third day of her search, Raquel finally got what seemed like a lead. The staff member at Mercy Hospital told her there was a woman in the emergency room under her daughter's name reportedly undergoing a C-section. She rushed to the hospital on the south side, only to be told that there was no patient by that name. It was deeply hurtful to her, and she wondered why someone would prank call a grieving family. Despite this, the family remained convinced she had been admitted somewhere without being able to call them.

Starting point is 00:14:36 Raquel began to fear something more sinister that someone might have abducted her daughter. She couldn't believe Marlene would simply run away, especially when they had already agreed she'd move in with her mother after giving birth. In the morning of April 26, Raquel got a phone call from someone claiming to be part of a Mexican cartel. Caller insisted Marlene had crossed the border and was being held in Tijuana, demanding $1,000 for her release. They handed this new information to the police who said it was likely a scam. That afternoon, just after 2 p.m., the police finally issued a high-risk missing person alert, describing Marlin as nine months pregnant and last seen near 2001 South California Avenue in Little Village. By then, nearly 72 hours had passed without any official alert.

Starting point is 00:15:22 When asked about the delay, police would not explain why it took so long, noting only that timing varies case-by-case. Days passed without any leads, and as Marlan's due date arrived, the family grew increasingly desperate. Raquel's fear deepened that whoever had taken Marlene was waiting for her to deliver. Marlin's family made tearful pleas at a press conference held on May 2nd, begging for the public's help. For two weeks, Marlene remained missing and her loved ones were in agony.

Starting point is 00:15:52 At Advocate Christ's Medical Center, the infant boy known to be delivered by Clarissa was on life support, listed as Baby Boy Figueroa for the woman who brought him in. He was in critical condition, with severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation at birth. Hospital staff had become suspicious when Clarissa arrived bloody and without signs of childbirth, and they alerted authorities that something was off. However, it took them two weeks to do. Exema is unpredictable.

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Starting point is 00:17:02 to Epglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Ebbglis. Before starting Ebbglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Ask your doctor about Ebbglis.com or call 1-800-LillyRX or 1-800 545-979. Do that. This delay was immensely criticized by Marlin's family later on. However, initially there was no concrete proof of a crime. Larissa maintained her story that she had delivered the baby herself. It wasn't until May 7, 2019, that the police finally connected the dots

Starting point is 00:17:40 between the missing mother and the baby at the hospital. Around that time, a newborn baby was found in an alley on the northwest side of Chicago. Raquel said the family rushed to Lurie Children's Hospital praying it was Marlen's child. Later, a detective called Raquel to say that the baby in the alley was not Marlins. Friends of Marlen informed detectives about her interactions on the Facebook group and the plans to pick up baby clothes from a woman. Investigators discovered Marlen's Facebook messages with Clarissa and realized the address

Starting point is 00:18:13 Marlin went to on April 23rd was the same location from which the 911 call about a newborn had come. Police then descended upon the area around Clarissa's home. They canvassed the neighborhood and on May 7th, located Marlan's black Honda Civic parked a few blocks away. By the time it was found, it had received three parking tickets. Marlins family later called up the authorities for not connecting the dots earlier because the parking ticket should have brought a missing person's car to their attention. With growing suspicion, detectives went to Clarissa's house to question the occupants. An officer's knocked on the door, Deserite answered and tried to mislead them.

Starting point is 00:18:51 She claimed her mother, Clarissa, couldn't come to the door because, because she was recovering in the hospital from leg pain. And she blurted out that her mother had just delivered a baby. Police noted Desire... All right, class, settle down. Today's lesson is on the Arco Rewards app. Try to stay with me. The fundamentals are simple.

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Starting point is 00:19:31 It's extremely odd story, which essentially confirmed their suspicions that this was the family involved in Marlin's case. Officers secured the perimeter and quickly obtained a search warrant for the property. On May 14, 2019, with a warrant in hand, Chicago police thoroughly searched Clarissa's home and yard. In the backyard, police found Peotter attempting to scrub blood out of a rug with bleach in a hose. Inside the house, investigators discovered significant evidence of a violent crime. Large amounts of blood spattered in the hallway in a bathroom that someone had tried to clean. They also found bleach, cleaning supplies, and freshly washed towels. Then, in the garage and yard area, Marlon's body was found in a trash can behind the house.

Starting point is 00:20:18 She was badly decomposed after three weeks, but still identifiable. The electrical cord used to strangle her was still wrapped around her neck. After weeks of uncertainty, Marlen's family finally had the answer they dreaded. She had been murdered. Arnulfo had come to identify his daughter's remains at the Cook County Medical Examiner's office on May 16th. Raquel Marlin's mother collapsed in anguish upon luring the fate of her angel. Meanwhile, the infant's true identity was confirmed through DNA testing. On May 14th, as evidence mounted, authorities obtained a DNA sample from baby Figueroa at the hospital.

Starting point is 00:20:59 The test proved the baby was in fact Marlon's son and not related to Clarissa whatsoever. Had insult to injury, Clarissa and her family started GoFundMe claiming their baby was critically ill and needed money for a funeral. They referred to the child as Baby Xander. Kiotr posted about the boy on his own Facebook page stating, My son is a fighter, made it this far, but not much time left, life support, brain dead, very little function in the brain. With DNA evidence in hand, authorities informed Yovani that the baby at Advent Christ Medical Center was his. Yovani named his newborn son Yovani Yadio Lopez, giving the baby his own name and a middle name meaning gift of God. For nearly two months,

Starting point is 00:21:45 Yovani lived at the hospital, praying over the infant and hoping for a miracle. Tragically, despite doctors' efforts and the family's prayers, maybe Yovani had suffered irreversible brain damage from the traumatic way in which he was delivered. He had zero brain activity and was on a ventilator, unable to breathe on his own. On June 14, 2019, the tiny boy succumbed to his injuries and passed away at just seven weeks old. The Cook County Medical Examiner later ruled the baby's death a homicide caused by lack of oxygen to the brain due to the violence inflicted on his mother. On May 16, 2019, Chicago police officially arrested 46-year-old Clarissa, her daughter Desiree and her boyfriend Peotor in connection with Marlen's murder. The Cook County prosecutor James Murphy presented a bond proffer outlining how Clarissa had strangled Marlene while Desire assisted and how they

Starting point is 00:22:43 cut the baby from her womb. The crime was described by the judge as brutal and heinous and all three defendants were denied bond. Clarissa and Desire were each charged with first-degree murder, as well as aggravated battery and other related charges for the attack on the infant. Piotr, who did not participate in the killing but helped cover it up, was charged with concealment of a homicidal death and later with obstruction. Piotr's lawyer claimed that he was tricked into believing that Yovani was his baby, but prosecutors claim that Peotor was aware of the murder and knowingly assisted with cleaning up the crime scene, as well as attempted to get donations through a GoFundMe for a baby that he knew wasn't his. In the ensuing months, more charges were added. After baby Ovani

Starting point is 00:23:31 died in June, Clarissa and Desiree were additionally charged with the murder of the infant as well. A grand jury indicted all three suspects on dozens of counts. The legal proceedings move slowly, however, and the defendants initially all pled not guilty in June of 2019. At one hearing in September of 2019, a judge rejected a gag order that the defense attorney sought, ensuring that information about the case could remain public. Over time, some details emerged about the defendants. It was revealed that Desiree was four months pregnant herself at the time of the murder. She later gave birth while in custody.

Starting point is 00:24:09 As the case headed towards trial, the weight of the defendant. evidence eventually led the defendants to reconsider their pleas. January of 2023, Piotr accepted a plea deal on a reduced charge of obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to a relatively short prison term, reportedly four years with credit for time served, and by 2023, he was released on parole. Desiree eventually pled guilty for her role in the murder on January 8th, 24. She had cooperated by giving a full videotape confession to police, admitting her role in the plot to kill Marlaine. She also agreed to testify against her mother if needed and received a reduced sentence of 30 years in prison. Then, in April of 2024, five years after the murder, another plea agreement was reached.

Starting point is 00:24:53 Clarissa, then 51 years old, led guilty to first-degree murder in exchange for a negotiated sentence. In a Cook County courtroom on April 16, 2024, Judge Peggy Chiampa sentenced Clarissa to 50 years in prison for masterminding Marlen's murder. Marissa did not say anything after her sentences and only replied with a yes when the judge asked her if she understood her parole eligibility. Larissa would be in her 90s before she could even possibly be granted parole. Desiree will be middle age when she eventually regains her freedom. Throughout the legal process, Marlon's family held a vigil in May of 2019 to remind the world that Marlen was a cherished mother, daughter, and friend. In the immediate aftermath, there was an outpouring of support for Marlon's husband and young son.

Starting point is 00:25:43 A legitimate GoFundMe campaign was launched by friends to assist Yovani's family with funeral expenses and medical bills. The League of United Latin American Citizens stepped in to help as well, covering travel costs to bring Marlins' relatives from Mexico to Chicago for the services. Community activists rallied around the family, holding press conferences to demand answers about how this could have happened, In one emotional gathering, Marlene's mother Raquel questioned why the police didn't act faster when the family first reported her missing, and whether anti-immigrant attitudes contributed to any delay. The Chicago police, for their part, defended their investigation, but also reviewed procedures in missing persons cases as a result of this tragedy. One significant outcome was a push for legislative change. Shocked by how the hospital handled the situation where a woman showed up with a nurse. newborn that clearly was not hers, Illinois lawmakers proposed Marlen's law.

Starting point is 00:26:44 Introduced by state representative Karina Via in May of 2019, this bill sought to require hospitals to verify the identity of any woman presenting a newborn, especially if claiming a home birth. It would mandate that hospital staff check identification and possibly perform DNA tests when a baby is brought in under suspicious circumstances. The idea was that if such protocols had been in authorities might have been alerted sooner in Marlin's case. Marlins law gained support from community organizations, and for a time there was momentum in the General Assembly to pass it. At Marlins' funeral, a state representative vowed that Marlins' name would be etched in the law books, so that something like this could never happen again.

Starting point is 00:27:27 Beyond legal changes, Marlon's death-inspired acts of kindness. On the one-year anniversary of Baby Yovani's passing, Marlon's family organized a memorial drive to distribute food, and diapers to needy families in Little Village. They said they chose this gesture because if the people who murdered Marlen would have had kindness in their hearts, maybe they wouldn't have committed the crime. Pastor Emma Lozano, a family friend, noted that Marlen's story had brought people together across Chicago. Pastor Lozano expressed that she left a footprint in this community, explained how even those who never met Marlene felt connected to her and rallied to support her family. particularly moving tribute to Marlen and her baby was a beautiful mural in Chicago's Pilsson neighborhood.

Starting point is 00:28:15 Shortly after Marlen's body was found, local artist Milton Coronado was moved by the tragedy and created a large mural near the intersection of 16th Street in Newbury Avenue. Painted with spray cans, the mural depicts Marlene and Baby Giovanni in a heavenly embrace. In the artwork, an ethereal image of Jesus cradles the infant who appears peacefully asleep in, Marlen is portrayed looking on serenely with angelic light around them. A small pair of angel wings is painted next to the baby's name, and there are glowing orbs of light against a dark sky, symbolizing hope shining through darkness. Milton said he channeled his shock and horror and a thing of beauty. He wanted the mural to give the family a gift in the city a place to remember Marlen. He explained. He explained,

Starting point is 00:29:06 that even in the midst of this evil and horror, we can still find hope. People have been coming here all afternoon to pay their respects. I want you to see this. This is the beautiful mural that has been painted here in Pilsen to honor the life of Marlene Ochoa Lopez. She wanted to be a model and now here she is larger than life. It has been a comfort to all who are celebrating her life today. After Marlon's body was identified and released by the medical examiner. Her family arranged services at Mount Auburn funeral home in Stikney, Illinois, a suburb just southwest of Chicago. A two-day public visitation was held on May 23rd and 24th, 2019, where hundreds of mourners came to pay their respects. On Saturday, May 25th, Marlon's funeral

Starting point is 00:29:52 service took place. Her white casket was surrounded by bouquets of white roses and baby's breath, symbols of purity in the young life that was cut short. The service was bilingual, a nod to Marlin's Mexican-American heritage with prayers and eulogies given in both Spanish and English. Pastor Carlos Tamei, who had previously married the young couple, now led Marlen's funeral rights. That no exist in Palabras Humanas, that can mitigate the dolor of an alma enlutada. As emotional as he spoke of Marlen's faith in the hope of reunion in heaven. During this service, Marlon's family members described her as a devoted wife, a loving mother and full of joy, vowing that that is how she will be remembered.

Starting point is 00:30:37 After the service, a funeral procession led Marlins Hearst to Mount Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery, where she was laid to rest later that day. Julie Contreras, a family friend and community activist, delivered a powerful message, calling the murder a senseless slaughter of the innocent, but urging everyone to find meaning in Marlon's memory. We have a young Latina woman. that was brutally murdered. But today I don't want to remember that.

Starting point is 00:31:08 I want to remember Marlin.

The Misery Machine - The Case of Marlen Ochoa Lopez & Yovanny Lopez

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