An Illinois man who decapitated a pregnant woman and tossed her head in a garbage bin has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Deundrea S. Holloway, 25, murdered Liese Dodd, 22, in her apartment in June 2022. Dodd was eight months pregnant at the time and had been in an on-and-off relationship with Holloway, prosecutors said.
The crime was discovered by Dodd's mother who became concerned when she couldn't get a hold of her. She found her daughter's body in the apartment with the head cut off. The head was found a nearby garbage bin.
Holloway's mental fitness had been a recurring issue during the case. At one point, he was deemed "unfit" to stand trial and spent time in a state mental health institution for several months.
"For the family and loved ones of Liese, these types of issues have caused continued angst and uncertainty. This guilty conviction ends that," Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine. "Our hope is that this conviction and sentence provide the family and loved ones some assurance and will be a step toward healing."
Holloway pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, and concealment of a homicidal death.
"This case has been difficult for everyone. 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," Haine said.
The case was also complicated by an Illinois Supreme Court decision that stated an unborn child could not be construed as a second murder victim for purposes of seeking a sentence of life in prison.
"I commend the exceptional efforts of our patrol officers and detectives in swiftly resolving the investigation of the tragic murder of Liese Dodd and her unborn child. Their unwavering dedication and meticulous investigative work led to the prompt apprehension of the suspect, Deundrea S. Holloway," Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford.
