The couple had been exchanging vows just moments before when their residence erupted into flames. Authorities later confirmed that the person responsible for the destruction was none other than Anthony Avila-Puebla, a guest at the wedding who had slipped away during the ceremony.

Anthony Avila-Puebla’s body was found in the rubble after the explosion. He is blamed for blowing up the house. Cicero Police Department
Anthony Avila-Puebla’s body was found in the rubble after the explosion. He is blamed for blowing up the house. Cicero Police Department

A Celebration Turns Into Tragedy

Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettos were celebrating their love just a day after Valentine’s Day, completely unaware of the horrifying events unfolding miles away. Just minutes after saying "I do," the bride received frantic messages about an explosion at their home. She rushed to the scene, still in her wedding dress, only to find the building engulfed in smoke and flames. The blast not only destroyed their home but also spread to a neighboring property, leaving 11 families displaced.

Authorities later discovered the charred remains of a man in the rubble, later identified as 31-year-old Anthony Avila-Puebla. The shocking revelation came when investigators determined that Avila-Puebla, who had been in attendance at the wedding, was the person responsible for the explosion.

While Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettos were tying the knot, a wedding guest slipped out to blow up the couple’s house
While Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettos were tying the knot, a wedding guest slipped out to blow up the couple’s house

Who Was Anthony Avila-Puebla?

Anthony Avila-Puebla was not just a wedding guest—he had a personal connection to the home he ultimately destroyed. Police confirmed that he had a relationship with someone living in the house, though they declined to specify further.

A deeper look into his background uncovered a troubling past. Avila-Puebla was a registered sex offender, convicted in 2018 of possessing child pornography involving a 13-year-old victim when he was 21. He was required to register as a sexual predator for life. Despite this history, his motives for the explosion remain unclear.

How Did He Do It?

Security footage showed Avila-Puebla parking his car less than a block away from the newlyweds' home. He was then seen carrying at least two jugs of a flammable liquid inside the residence. Shockingly, he never reemerged, with investigators believing he ignited the explosion while still inside. The blaze that followed was so intense that it caused structural damage to adjacent buildings, forcing multiple families to evacuate.

No one else was inside the house at the time, but the couple’s six pet cats were present and are still unaccounted for. The explosion left nothing but wreckage in its wake, reducing decades of memories to ashes.

Aftermath and Community Support

The fire expanded to a neighboring building, displacing 11 families. GoFundMe
The fire expanded to a neighboring building, displacing 11 families. GoFundMe

With their home in ruins, Tom and Eleni found themselves with nowhere to turn. To make matters worse, they had been in the process of remodeling and transferring their home insurance, meaning they had no coverage to assist in their recovery.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Cicero community rallied around the couple. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help them rebuild their lives, raising nearly $57,000. In a heartfelt statement on the fundraiser page, the family emphasized how much the home meant to them, describing it as not just a house but a cherished part of their history.

Unanswered Questions

Despite mounting evidence, the exact reasons behind Avila-Puebla’s destructive act remain unknown. Did he have a vendetta? Was it a crime of passion, jealousy, or something more sinister? Law enforcement officials continue to investigate, hoping to uncover the full story behind the explosion.

For now, Tom and Eleni are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered dreams. Their story serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly joy can turn to devastation—and how even on the happiest days, darkness can lurk just beneath the surface.

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