Man Accused of Murdering Roommate He Met on Craigslist

A DuPage County grand jury has indicted a west suburban man on multiple murder counts in connection with the January death of a man he met on Craigslist.

Grant Van Muren, 21, of St. Charles, remains in the DuPage County Jail on a $2 million bond, facing eight counts of murder and single counts of robbery, arson and concealment of a homicide, the Naperville Sun is reporting.

Muren is accused of hitting and strangling Charles Clark inside his Naperville home in late January, then trying to burn the house down, according to a 12-count indictment issued this week.

Authorities have said the men met after Clark posted an ad on Craigslist seeking a roommate. The two spent less than eight hours together in Clark’s home before Muren strangled Clark, burned their lease agreement in the kitchen, and turned on the stove burners and oven before fleeing, according to prosecutors.

Police were called Jan. 22 to the townhouse by Clark’s girlfriend, who discovered his body. Muren was arrested two days later. An autopsy concluded strangulation was the primary cause of death.

Court documents state Muren took cash, wiped up the “crime scene” and “attempted to blow up and/or burn down the house” after strangling Clark.

His attorney filed a bond-reduction motion earlier this month stating Muren is unable to raise $200,000 bail to be released. If he were freed, he would live with family in Will County, the motion states.

Muren is scheduled to return to court March 3.

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
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