‘Monster’ charged with beheading young mum
ALTON: A pregnant 22-yearold woman has been found beheaded in a slaying described by US police as “abominable”.
Liese Dodd was discovered dead by her mother when she went to her daughter’s new home in Alton, Illinois, after becoming concerned that she hadn’t heard from her for some time.
Ms Dodd’s head was found in a rubbish bin outside her apartment, according to court documents obtained by the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
Her on-and-off boyfriend Deundrea Holloway, 22, has been arrested over the crime.
He’s facing multiple charges including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of intentional homicide to an unborn child, dismembering a human body, offences relating to motor vehicles, and concealment of a homicide death, Illinois news site Riverbender reports.
Holding up a photo of Ms Dodd, an emotional Illinois police chief Marcos Pulido said: “She was savagely killed. It’s beyond reprehensible.”
The police chief referred to the suspect as a “monster”.
“This daughter, this mother-to-be and her family, were in the planning stages of a baby shower that was supposed to be at the end of June but now instead the family is planning a funeral,” he said, adding that Ms Dodd’s death was “abominable”.
Ms Dodd’s baby was due in late July. She had dated Mr Holloway on and off for about two years and had recently moved to the area, local news reported.
When approached by officers, Mr Holloway reportedly refused to identify himself and was restrained by officers.
“We believe the evidence will show that the defendant’s gruesome actions here killed both a young woman and the child she carried,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine said.
“In the eyes of the law, both these killings are equal.”
Ms Dodd’s mother Heidi Noel said her daughter was a bright, loving soul.
“A beautiful smile,” Ms Noel told local TV. “She was just a bright light who cared for everyone. She had a big heart. She’d do anything for anyone. She’d go out of her way to help people.
Ms Noel said Mr Holloway was not the father of her daughter’s baby and their relationship had been tumultuous.
“I’m glad that he’s off the streets, and that is my big hope – that he’s no longer able to do this to anyone else,” Ms Noel said.