TROY, Ill. — A Troy, Illinois, man admitted to intentionally setting the fire that killed a 69-year-old woman in 2022.
Michael Sloan Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 22, 2022, fire that left Susanne Tomlinson dead. A press release from Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine said he could face up to 50 years in prison.
“We intend to seek the full 50-year term,” Haine said in the release. “This was an especially heinous and cruel crime.”
Editor's note: The above video was published on Sept. 23.
The release said Sloan admitted to setting the fire knowing Tomlinson was inside.
The release said prosecutors were prepared to show evidence of Sloan dousing Tomlinson and her adult daughter Courtney with gasoline before setting the fire. Tomlinson's daughter was able to escape and run to a neighbor's house for help.
"He grabbed the gas can, opened up my bathroom door and threw it in my face," Courtney Tomlinson said shortly after the fire. "I couldn't see. I was rinsing out my eyes. I have chemical burns on my chest. He had the lighter lit, but he couldn't throw it on me for some reason. I was doused in gasoline."
When Courtney Tomlinson managed to get away, the release said Sloan then went into Susanne Tomlinson's home carrying a can of gasoline.
"He threw gas on her (Susanne Tomlinson's) face," Courtney Tomlinson said shortly after the fire. "She couldn't see. I yelled, 'Are you OK?' He pushed her. She fell on the floor."
Prosecutors said when police arrived moments later, they saw Sloan hold a cigarette lighter above his head and flick the lighter, resulting in a fireball.
"He set her on fire," Courtney Tomlinson said. "He tortured her, and then, he doused himself."
Sloan was rescued from the fire and taken into custody after receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
A sentencing hearing was set for Feb. 26.
