Ill. man accused of dousing girlfriend in gasoline before setting her mother on fire
09/28/2022 12:27 pm PDT
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (TCD) -- A 40-year-old man faces charges after allegedly burning down a home that belonged to his girlfriend’s 69-year-old mother, resulting in her death.
According to a news release from the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, on Sept. 22, Michael Sloan Jr. tried to kill his girlfriend, Courtney Tomlinson. He allegedly forced her to zip-tie her wrists and douse herself in gasoline as he threatened to kill her and held a knife to her throat.
Tomlinson was able to free herself and get away, KSDK-TV reports.
The Attorney’s Office said Sloan went to the home of Courtney Tomlinson’s mother, Susanne Tomlinson, carrying a can of gasoline.
Courtney reportedly said Sloan "threw gas on her [Susanne Tomlinson] face. She couldn’t see. I yelled, 'Are you OK?' He pushed her. She fell on the floor."
Courtney told KSDK, "He set her on fire. He tortured her, and then he doused himself."
Authorities responded to the home on the 500 block of Wood Thrush, and the home was engulfed in flames with Susanne Tomlinson inside, according to KSDK.
The victim reportedly died of smoke inhalation, according to an autopsy report. The Attorney’s Office said Sloan was pulled from the fire and transported to a hospital.
On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine said Sloan was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of aggravated arson, and one count of aggravated unlawful restraint. His bail was reportedly set at $1 million.
According to the Attorney’s Office, the first-degree murder charge carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison, and the suspect could face up to 30 years in prison for the charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Aggravated unlawful restraint is reportedly punishable by up to five years in prison.
In a statement, Haine said, "This was a senseless act of violence that shook the community."
He continued, "Our office extends sympathy to the family as well as the witnesses, police officers and firefighters who were there as this tragedy unfolded. Thanks to their courage, bravery and great police work, our office can and will fight for justice for the victims."
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