Michael Sloan Jr: Illinois man pleads guilty for killing girlfriend’s mother by setting house on fire

TROY, ILLINOIS: The boyfriend of an Illinois woman, Courtney Tomlinson admitted to setting a house on fire that resulted in the death of her mother. Prosecutors allege that the man stated he had "intended to kill everyone."

Michael Sloan from Troy, Illinois, entered a guilty plea on Monday, January 8, for first-degree murder in relation to the fire-related death of his partner's mother, Susanne Tomlinson, in September 2022, as confirmed by the Madison County Prosecutor's Office.

'I watched her die'

Sloan, aged 41, confessed to dousing his girlfriend and her 69-year-old mother with gasoline inside the duplex they were in, according to authorities. While Courtney managed to escape and call for help, her mother tragically lost her life in the ensuing blaze.

"When police arrived moments later, they witnessed Sloan holding a cigarette lighter above his head and flicking it, causing a fireball. Sloan had shouted to the police that he intended to kill everyone," as per information from Messenger.

“Flames and heavy smoke hindered attempts to get into the burning home. An autopsy revealed that Susanne Tomlinson died of smoke inhalation and burn injuries,” it continued.

In an interview with KSDK-TV after the incident, Courtney revealed that she and Sloan had been in an argument before the fatal fire. She expressed the heartbreaking loss, describing her mother as her "best friend" and stating that she had to "watch her die."

Michael Sloan faces up to 50 years in prison

Courtney recounted that Sloan bound her with zip ties, held her at knife-point, and poured gasoline on her. "He grabbed the gas can, opened up my bathroom door and threw it in my face," she said, as reported by the station.

"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."

Sloan then attacked Courtney’s mother, also drenching her in the accelerant. "He set her on fire," Courtney recalled. "He tortured her, and then, he doused himself."

Sloan was rescued from the fire and apprehended after receiving medical treatment at the hospital. His sentencing is scheduled for February 26, and he could face up to 50 years in prison.