Bride and Groom's Home Exploded When They Said 'I Do.' A Wedding Guest Was the Culprit, Say Police

Mar. 15, 2025

Anthony Avila-Puebla (left); and home of Eleni Vrettos and Tom Davis.Photo:Cicero Police Department; GoFundMe

Cicero Police Department; GoFundMe

A wedding guest who disappeared halfway through the festivities had snuck out to the happy couple’s Illinois home and blew it up, killing himself in the process, police say.

Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettoswere in the middle of their ceremony when their home in Cicero, Ill., exploded on Feb. 19, perABC 7 Chicago,NBC 5 ChicagoandThe Chicago Tribune.

A guest who was missing from the wedding was found in the rubble, a Cicero town spokesperson said at the time, per the outlets. The deceased man was identified as 31-year-old Anthony Avila-Puebla, the outlets reported.

Cicero authorities say Avila-Puebla was the one who carried out the explosion, per ABC 7 Chicago, NBC 5 Chicago and theChicago Sun-Times.

On the day of the incident, Avila-Puebla was caught on video parking his vehicle near the residence and carrying a 5-gallon jug inside, a Cicero town spokesperson said, according to NBC Chicago and ABC Chicago.

He was then seen leaving the residence with the jug, now empty, and returning to his vehicle.

On two more instances, video shows him entering the building carrying multiple jugs.

An investigation revealed the jugs had flammable liquid, per the outlets.

The residence exploded soon after he was seen carrying the jugs in on one final occasion; Avila-Puebla was not seen exiting the home after that.

Eleni Vrettos and Tom Davis' home after the explosion.GoFundMe

GoFundMe

Avila-Puebla was reportedly in a relationship with someone who lives in the house, Cicero authorities said, per ABC 7 Chicago and theChicago Sun-Times.

Further information surrounding the circumstances was not immediately available and Cicero authorities did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for further clarification.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Meanwhile, the couple are reeling from the loss.

AGoFundMeset up for the couple, who said they lost their six cats.

“This home was more than just a house — it was where Eleni grew up, where she and Tom had moved in to start their new life together, and where the family had built countless memories over the years,” read part of the fundraiser.

“Now, they have lost everything — their belongings, their keepsakes, and the place they called home.”

source: people.com