ALTON, Ill. — A man is facing murder charges after police said he decapitated his pregnant ex-girlfriend in an "abominable" crime in Alton, Illinois, last week.
Deundrea Holloway was charged Monday with murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and multiple other crimes in connection with the June 9 death of 22-year-old Liese A. Dodd.
In a video posted to the Alton Police Department's Facebook page, Police Chief Marcos Pulido said Dodd's mother went to go check on her last Thursday and found her dead inside her home on Bolivar Street.
Pulido said, Dodd and Holloway had an on-again-off-again relationship for the last two years. He said, Dodd was pregnant and had a due date in late July.
Court records say the Holloway is accused of leaving Dodd's head in a dumpster.
"Every murder is absolutely terrible. I will never take that away, but what happened to 22-year-old Liese Dodd ... is beyond reprehensible," Pulido said in the video while holding a photo of Dodd. "It's abominable. It is completely terrible what happened to her."
April Wooten is Dodd's neighbor. She told 5 On Your Side that Dodd recently moved to the area.
An emotional Wooten recalled June 9, when Dodd was found.
"All of this was filled with cops. They let us know someone was found dead next door. Her mom looked so broken, she looked so broken. She turned around, she looked at us, me and my boyfriend were standing in the door way and she said, 'He [expletive] killed her," Wooten said.
Pulido said the department has been in contact with Dodd's family. He asked that people not reach out to them because they have asked for privacy.
In all, Holloway, a Litchfield resident, was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child, dismembering a human body, concealing a homicidal death and possession of a stolen vehicle. The two counts of murder will be combined into one count as the investigation continues, as will the two counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child.
Holloway's bond was set at $2 million.
"I ask you to please continue all victims of domestic violence, all victims of murder, including her, in your thoughts and prayers," Pulido said.
Maggie Menefee is the Executive Director of Alive, an organization that advocates for survivors of domestic violence.
She has seen an increase in violence and the severity of those cases.
"Just this year alone we had 330 referrals from law enforcement, who they've already screened of high risk of being murdered. We are here as resources and we are here to be supportive," Menefee said.
Alive provides a 24/7 crisis hotline with crisis intervention, safety planning, temporary shelter service, counseling services for both adults and children, and court advocacy.
The Dodd family has started a GoFundMe page. For more information, click here.
If you or anyone you know needs resources or support, you can contact:
- ALIVE's Crisis line is 314-993-2777
- St. Martha's number is 314-533-1313
- Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003
- The Women's Safe House at 314-772-4535
St. Martha's Hall also recently opened a drop-in center for victims or anyone needing support.
Location
4733 Mattis Road, St. Louis MO 63128 – North side of Assumption Catholic Church campus
Hours
Monday-Friday, 10 AM-4 PM
Details
No appointment is necessary and all services are free of charge and include:
- Crisis intervention and support services
- Remote access to apply for orders of protection
- Safety planning
- Referrals to community agencies (housing assistance, shelter, legal, etc.)
- Information and support for family & friends