2 charged with arson, concealing a homicide after woman found dead in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Two people have been arrested in connection with a person who was found dead after a fire east of Decatur.

Wicker, Jr. and Lewis — Micheal Dean Wicker, Jr. and Kelly Lewis
via Macon County Sheriff's Office

The Macon County Sheriff's Office is investigating after deputies found the body of 55-year-old Stephanie Krohn of Decatur at 10 a.m. Sunday morning in the 8000 block of Ridge Rd.

Deputies said the Long Creek Fire Department found the body after responding to a reported fire in the area.

Two people have now been arrested in connection to incident. Micheal Dean Wicker, Jr. and Kelly Lewis both face multiple charges.

Wicker, Jr. is charged with aggravated arson knowing a person is present, concealing a homicide, being a felon in possession or using a gun, a meth charge, and parole violation.

Lewis is charged with aggravated arson knowing a person is present, concealing a homicide, being a felon in possession or using a gun, and parole violation.

Both Wicker, Jr. and Lewis appeared in court Tuesday afternoon.

Lewis waived her right to a pretrial release hearing, and is being held in custody until her next court date on April 30.

The attorney for the state shared details from responding officers' sworn statements. He said human blood and tissue was found in the back of Wicker's vehicle, along with a gas can. The sworn also mentioned Lewis had burns on her hand, and a burned car was found near the barn.

The sworn statement noted that Krohn had been strangled and then set on fire.

WAND News acquired copies of sworn statements from officers at the scene. According to the documents, Wicker purchased around a gallon and a half of gas in a portable container and three slices of pizza at a Casey's before the fires were set.

During a search of a home in the 1700 block of N. 27th street, police found suitcases packed full of clothing and two pairs of boots with treads that matched prints left at the scene.

Prosecutors stated that Wicker was on parole for two prior charges for armed robbery in Christian County.

Wicker was denied pre-trial release, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 30.

WAND News is continuing to follow developments on this case.