In a tragic incident from last September, an Illinois man, Michael E. Sloan Jr., 41, pleaded guilty to severe charges of first-degree murder related to the fatal burning of a 69-year-old woman named Susanne Tomlinson. Authorities reported that Sloan poured gasoline on Susanne and her house before setting them ablaze, resulting in her tragic demise.
During a court hearing, Sloan admitted to being aware of Susanne's presence inside the house when he committed this horrific act. Reports from the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office unveiled that Sloan had intentions to cause harm to everyone in the house.
Shockingly, Sloan had previously doused Susanne's daughter, identified as Courtney Tomlinson, with gasoline. Courtney, who identified herself as Sloan's girlfriend, shared in an interview how the morning's events unfolded. An argument over owed money escalated quickly when Sloan aggressively confronted her with a gasoline can, causing severe injuries and burns.
Courtney further revealed that Sloan proceeded to Susanne's nearby residence, locking himself inside and perpetrating the violent act. Witnesses, including a concerned neighbor who saw Courtney fleeing, alerted the authorities. Upon arrival, officers witnessed Sloan holding a lit lighter, igniting a dangerous fireball.
Despite efforts to rescue Susanne, the intensity of the fire prevented immediate intervention. Firefighters later rescued Sloan, who had sustained burn injuries, and took him into custody.
Tragically, Susanne succumbed to smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Described fondly as “Sue” on a fundraising page, she was known for her love of fishing and gardening with friends known as “The Mermaids.”
Amidst this tragedy, Courtney expressed her profound loss and determination to seek justice. Sloan's sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
For anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking help is crucial. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Confidential support is available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
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