DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The man accused in the disappearance of Norma Crutchfield has taken a plea deal the week before he was set to go on trial.
Troy Slaw was originally charged with first-degree murder, dismembering a human body, and concealment of a homicidal death. On Friday afternoon, he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and his other charges were dismissed.
Chase Freeman, 23, was also arrested for dismembering a human body and concealment of a homicidal death. He has a disposition hearing set next month.
Crutchfield was reported missing in November 2020. In a police sworn affidavit, Crutchfield's mother told police the 41-year-old had been living with Slaw at a home in the 1100 block of E. Olive St.
Police learned in December 2020 that Freeman had information about Crutchfield's disappearance. He told them that in Nov. 2020, Slaw had opened a closet door inside a home and a dead woman was inside. Freeman believed the woman, who he believed was Crutchfield, was stabbed in the chest and had been there for days.
Freeman said Slaw had lined the bathroom with shower curtains, window curtains, and plastic. He said a Sawzall tool was on the table and black contractor bags were everywhere. Slaw asked Freeman to help dispose of the body, police said, and Freeman initially denied to authorities that he helped Slaw with that task before later admitting to assisting.
Police obtained a search warrant for the East Olive Street address and served it on Dec. 12, 2020. They said investigators found blood-like substances in the home and tested them for DNA analysis. They said the blood was a match for Crutchfield.
Police said Crutchfield's body has not yet been found.
Slaw will return to court for sentencing in September.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
