An Illinois sex offender, Timothy Doll, is accused of murder after suffocating 15-year-old Gracie Sasso-Cleveland with a pillow and disposing of her body in a dumpster. The 29-year-old was reportedly already on probation for child sex crimes against a 14-year-old when the heinous crime occurred.
The parents of the 15-year-old high school student reported her missing on May 4th when they were unable to find her. The DeKalb police department determined that Sasso-Cleveland had been in a dating relationship with Doll, the registered sex offender, through her cell phone records.
The authorities tracked the teen’s phone to the dumpster by a local university, and when they searched the area, confirmed that Gracie’s body was contained inside. Doll was taken in to custody, and upon searching his residence, police discovered evidence linking him to the crime.
An autopsy report determined that Sasso-Cleveland suffocated from asphyxiation brought on by the pillow in her assailant’s hands. Doll, who was in an argument with the victim, is accused of two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sex abuse, concealment of a homicide, aggravated domestic battery, two counts of obstruction of justice, unlawful restraint and unlawful communication by a child sex offender.
The DeKalb Police Department encouraged families to be aware of their children’s wherebouts and the people they are with, and reminded that there is no need to wait an extended amount of time to report a missing child.