Maroa woman burned over 50% of her body, man denied release for attempted murder

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A Maroa man charged with attempted murder has been denied pretrial release.

Matthew R. Broadhacker appeared in Macon County Court on Tuesday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery - great bodily harm, and aggravated domestic battery.

Broadhacker was arrested after a fire in the 400 block of Maple St. in Maroa Saturday night. Court documents say a 43-year-old woman was found with third degree burns on 50% of her body. She was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to a regional hospital for treatment. Her current condition has not been released.

A sworn statement from an Illinois State Police officer said that responders at the scene of the fire smelled "a strong odor of gasoline" coming from Broadhacker. He also had burns on his arm and neck.

The statement goes on to say that minutes before the fire, the woman sent a text to a friend that said, "Matt just poured gas on me."

Broadhacker pleaded not guilty.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.