UPDATED 3:30 P.M. TUESDAY | Pekin police say a 39-year-old Manito man is under arrest in connection with the death of a woman found Saturday in a residential fire.
Matthew Null faces charges of first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, arson, felony theft, fraud, and unlawful use of weapons. He is in custody at the Tazewell County Justice Center and expected to appear in bond court on Wednesday.
Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley identified the victim as 31-year-old Kailey Windish. Hanley said he is withholding the cause and manner of death due to the ongoing investigation.
Windish was found deceased inside the home in the 200 block of Gunion Avenue after firefighters extinguished the blaze Saturday afternoon.
Information from the probable cause affidavit filed by the state's attorney's office indicates Windish and Null were acquainted, and that she died prior to the fire being intentionally set.
ORIGINAL STORY | The Pekin Police Department is investigating the death of a person found Saturday afternoon inside a residence on fire.
According to a media release from Public Information Officer Billie Ingles, firefighters responded to the blaze on Gunion Avenue at approximately 2 p.m. The unidentified person was found deceased inside the residence after the fire was extinguished.
The investigation is ongoing and no other information is available.
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