A Danvers man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he strangled a Bloomington woman to death and then tried to hide her body.
Joshua D. Livingston sat silent during Friday’s arraignment in a McLean County courtroom alongside his public defender. He faces murder charges in connection with the death of Melissa Ostrom, 39, who went missing in mid-April and was found dead a few days later. Authorities have not disclosed where Ostrom’s body was found.
Livingston is also charged with concealing of a homicidal death, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamines, and damage to government property.
Less than a month before Ostrom’s death, Livingston was also charged with domestic battery in which Ostrom was the victim and identified as a family or household member.
As a condition of his release from jail, Livingston was ordered to have no contact with Ostrom. He faces a new charge of violating the bond conditions.
Livingston is being held at the McLean County jail on $2 million bond. He’s due back in court May 24 in front of Judge William Yoder.
