This is the tragic story of 22 year old Liese Dodd, an 8 month pregnant woman who met her untimely death just days ago, on or around the 9th June 2022
Liese Dodd, originally from Jerseyville, Illinois, had just recently moved to Alton, following an on again / off again tumultuous relationship with her ex, 22-year-old Deundrea Holloway. She was 8 months pregnant with a baby girl although Holloway was not the father.
Embarking on her fresh start, Dodd was looking to the future. She had plans to have her baby, whom she would lovingly refer to as “my little baby bean” and then follow in her mother’s footsteps by entering into a medical career. More imminently, Dodd and her family were planning a baby shower at the end of June to celebrate her pregnancy and the upcoming birth.
On June 9th 2022, Dodds mother, was concerned for her daughter’s welfare as she hadn’t heard from her for a while, which was unusual as the pair would often speak to each other daily – She kept daily contact with her daughter, to ensure she was doing ok and was safe due to the issues between Dodd and Holloway.
When she was unable to get in contact with Dodd, her mother decided to head over to her daughter’s home on the 3400 block of Bolivar Street, Alton, Illinois.
The nightmare that awaited her was as horrifying as it was heartbreaking. As she entered Dodds home she discovered her pregnant daughter’s dead body, worse still, it was clear Dodd had been the victim of a brutal murder and she had been decapitated. Her head was (reportedly) later located in a dumpster.
Dodds ex, Deundrea Holloway became the prime suspect following an investigation and the evidence that was found. The very same day Dodds body was discovered, police in Gillespie, Illinois, received a report of a stolen bicycle, and the thief was apprehended. It just so happened to be Holloway. He refused to identify himself and whilst in the Gillespie police department he became aggressive and had to be restrained. As a result he was was charged with theft, resisting arrest and obstructing identification before being held at the Macoupin County Jail. It was whilst he was held there that officers were able to identify him and discovered he was also wanted in connection with the heinous murder of Liese Dodd and her unborn baby. He was untimely charged by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office for his crimes.
Following the arrest, Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido confirmed via a Facebook video that Alton Police Officers had responded to the call regarding the homicide. He described Holloway as a “Savage Monster” who has been charged with “two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child, dismembering a human body, offenses related to motor vehicles, and concealment of a homicidal death.”
Dodd’s mother has since spoken to News 4 where she described her daughter as having a “beautiful smile, … She was just a bright light that cared for everyone. she had a big heart. She’d do anything for anyone. She’d go out of her way to help people.” A neighbour said of Dodds, “she seemed like a kindhearted person.”
With regards to Holloway, Dodd’s mother said “I’m glad that he’s off the streets, and that is my big hope is that he’s no longer able to do this to anyone else,”
Bail was set at $2 million by Judge Neil Schroeder . Holloway is currently being held at the Alton Police Department.
Update: August 22nd 2022, Holloway was deemed unfit to stand trial. It is probable that after a year of treatment at the Department of Human Services, where he is currently on remand, he will be mentally fit enough to stand trial.