Topline: The victim’s head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
Published: January 22, 2025 9:30 am ET
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Deundrea Holloway (via RiverBender.com)
MADISON COUNTY, IL — An Illinois man has been convicted of decapitating his pregnant girlfriend in 2022.
Deundrea S. Holloway, 25, of Alton, IL, charged in the decapitation murder of a pregnant woman in Alton has been convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
Holloway received the sentence Friday in Circuit Court in Madison County after pleading guilty to first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and concealment of a homicidal death.
Holloway pleaded guilty to murdering Liese Dodd, 22, at her apartment in Alton on June 9, 2022.
Dodd, who was nearly 8 months pregnant, had an on-and-off relationship with Holloway, authorities said.
Dodd’s mother became concerned after she couldn’t get ahold of Dodd. The mother went to the apartment and discovered Dodd’s body. Dodd’s neck was cut, and her head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
Twice during the pendency of Holloway’s case, the defense raised questions regarding his fitness to stand trial, resulting in court-ordered psychological evaluations. At one point, the Court determined Holloway to be mentally unfit to stand trial, resulting in the defendant being treated at a state institution for a period of months, until he regained fitness to stand trial.
In addition, during the pendency of the case, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that an unborn child cannot be construed as a second murder victim for purposes of seeking a sentence of life in prison.
“For the family and loved ones of Liese, these types of issues have caused continued angst and uncertainty. This guilty conviction ends that,” Haine said. “Our hope is that this conviction and sentence provide the family and loved ones some assurance and will be a step toward healing.”
An investigation by Alton Police Department resulted in Holloway quickly being identified as a suspect and taken into custody in Gillespie.
“This case has been difficult for everyone,” Haine added. “Obviously, it has been traumatic for Liese’s family. With this resolution, they were spared the additional trauma associated with a trial. My heart goes out to the family, whose strength, courage and resiliency during this process have been truly remarkable.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Illinois Man Convicted of Decapitating Pregnant Girlfriend
The victim’s head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 22, 2025 9:30 am ET
Deundrea Holloway (via RiverBender.com)
MADISON COUNTY, IL — An Illinois man has been convicted of decapitating his pregnant girlfriend in 2022.
Deundrea S. Holloway, 25, of Alton, IL, charged in the decapitation murder of a pregnant woman in Alton has been convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
Holloway received the sentence Friday in Circuit Court in Madison County after pleading guilty to first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and concealment of a homicidal death.
Holloway pleaded guilty to murdering Liese Dodd, 22, at her apartment in Alton on June 9, 2022.
Dodd, who was nearly 8 months pregnant, had an on-and-off relationship with Holloway, authorities said.
Dodd’s mother became concerned after she couldn’t get ahold of Dodd. The mother went to the apartment and discovered Dodd’s body. Dodd’s neck was cut, and her head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
Twice during the pendency of Holloway’s case, the defense raised questions regarding his fitness to stand trial, resulting in court-ordered psychological evaluations. At one point, the Court determined Holloway to be mentally unfit to stand trial, resulting in the defendant being treated at a state institution for a period of months, until he regained fitness to stand trial.
In addition, during the pendency of the case, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that an unborn child cannot be construed as a second murder victim for purposes of seeking a sentence of life in prison.
“For the family and loved ones of Liese, these types of issues have caused continued angst and uncertainty. This guilty conviction ends that,” Haine said. “Our hope is that this conviction and sentence provide the family and loved ones some assurance and will be a step toward healing.”
An investigation by Alton Police Department resulted in Holloway quickly being identified as a suspect and taken into custody in Gillespie.
“This case has been difficult for everyone,” Haine added. “Obviously, it has been traumatic for Liese’s family. With this resolution, they were spared the additional trauma associated with a trial. My heart goes out to the family, whose strength, courage and resiliency during this process have been truly remarkable.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Illinois Man Convicted of Decapitating Pregnant Girlfriend
The victim’s head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 22, 2025 9:30 am ET
Deundrea Holloway (via RiverBender.com)
MADISON COUNTY, IL — An Illinois man has been convicted of decapitating his pregnant girlfriend in 2022.
Deundrea S. Holloway, 25, of Alton, IL, charged in the decapitation murder of a pregnant woman in Alton has been convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
Holloway received the sentence Friday in Circuit Court in Madison County after pleading guilty to first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and concealment of a homicidal death.
Holloway pleaded guilty to murdering Liese Dodd, 22, at her apartment in Alton on June 9, 2022.
Dodd, who was nearly 8 months pregnant, had an on-and-off relationship with Holloway, authorities said.
Dodd’s mother became concerned after she couldn’t get ahold of Dodd. The mother went to the apartment and discovered Dodd’s body. Dodd’s neck was cut, and her head was placed in an outdoor garbage bin nearby, according to authorities.
Twice during the pendency of Holloway’s case, the defense raised questions regarding his fitness to stand trial, resulting in court-ordered psychological evaluations. At one point, the Court determined Holloway to be mentally unfit to stand trial, resulting in the defendant being treated at a state institution for a period of months, until he regained fitness to stand trial.
In addition, during the pendency of the case, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that an unborn child cannot be construed as a second murder victim for purposes of seeking a sentence of life in prison.
“For the family and loved ones of Liese, these types of issues have caused continued angst and uncertainty. This guilty conviction ends that,” Haine said. “Our hope is that this conviction and sentence provide the family and loved ones some assurance and will be a step toward healing.”
An investigation by Alton Police Department resulted in Holloway quickly being identified as a suspect and taken into custody in Gillespie.
“This case has been difficult for everyone,” Haine added. “Obviously, it has been traumatic for Liese’s family. With this resolution, they were spared the additional trauma associated with a trial. My heart goes out to the family, whose strength, courage and resiliency during this process have been truly remarkable.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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