Metro-east man sentenced in decapitation murder of pregnant woman
A 25-year-old Alton man was given a 60-year prison sentence Friday in the decapitation murder of a pregnant woman, the Madison County State’s Attorney announced.
Deundrea S. Holloway received the sentence for killing Liese A. Dodd, 22, at her apartment on June 9, 2022, according to a news release from State’s Attorney Tom Haine.
Dodd was nearly eight months pregnant and had an “on-and-off relationship” with Holloway.
Holloway pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and concealment of a homicidal death.
“Dodd’s mother became concerned after she couldn’t get ahold of Dodd,” according to the news release. “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.”
Holloway was represented by Madison County Public Defender Mary Copeland, who could not be reached for comment Friday.
Associate Judge Neil Schroeder handed down the sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle, who is chief of the Violent Crimes Unit at the State’s Attorney’s Office, and Crystal Uhe of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office.
“This case has been difficult for everyone,” Haine said in a statement. “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.”
After Holloway was arrested in 2022, former Alton Police Chief Chief Marcos Pulido said Dodd was “decapitated by a freaking, savage monster.” Pulido now serves as chief deputy in the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.