A 62-year-old Peoria man faces a first-degree murder charge for allegedly killing another man found inside a garage that had been set on fire last month.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday that its petition to have Joseph Alexander remain in custody ahead of his trial has been granted.
Alexander is accused of killing Jimmy Steele, 68, who was living in the garage in the 1200 block of NE Perry Ave.
The Peoria Fire Department responded to the location around 8:30 a.m. Nov. 26. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters found Steele’s body. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood determined Steele died from strangulation and “multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.”
Shortly after Steele’s body was found, Peoria police responded to a separate call a few blocks away and found Alexander with blood on his clothing and right hand. Prosecutors said he was non-communicative and taken to a local hospital.
While hospitalized, Alexander said he was suicidal and homicidal, and that he had hurt someone, said authorities, adding Alexander’s family reported he has a history of schizophrenia and sometimes stayed at the Perry Avenue address.
Alexander has been held at the Peoria County Jail since being released from the hospital on Dec. 9.
Investigators determined the garage fire was intentionally set. The state’s attorney’s office said investigators also obtained surveillance video footage showing Alexander walking in the area prior to the fire.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information potentially related to the crime is asked to contact the Peoria Police Department.
