Man accused of murdering Norma Crutchfield gets 28 years in prison

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The man accused in the disappearance of Norma Crutchfield has been sentenced after taking a plea deal.

Troy Slaw was originally charged with first-degree murder, dismembering a human body, and concealment of a homicidal death. Last month, he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, and his other charges were dismissed.

Slaw was sentenced Wednesday to 28 years in prison. He will have to serve 100 percent of that sentence.

Chase Freeman, 23, was also arrested for dismembering a human body and concealment of a homicidal death. He took a plea deal and was sentenced to four years. After time served and being eligible for day for day, he will only serve an additional four months.

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.