Missing Wedding Guest Responsible For House Explosion: Reports | Oak Park, IL Patch

Mar 04, 2025

CICERO, IL — The body found in the debris of a Cicero home that exploded last month has been identified as a 31-year-old man who was responsible for the blast and who had a relationship with one of the house’s occupants, authorities said Saturday.

Anthony Avila-Puebla of Cicero was captured on video parking near the home and carrying jugs of flammable liquid inside before the explosion, which occurred around 5 p.m. Feb. 15 in the 2200 block of South Central Avenue, according to police. Avila-Puebla’s remains were found in the debris, police said.

“The motive for the explosion remains unknown at this time, and the investigation is still ongoing,” police said in a news release.

The explosion occurred during the wedding ceremony of Eleni Vrettos, who grew up in the home, and Tom Davis, according to a GoFundMe started to support the couple, who lost all their belongings and six beloved cats.

Avila-Puebla had been a guest at the wedding but disappeared during the ceremony, WLS reported, noting the explosion caused a nearby building to catch fire and displaced 11 families.