A Peoria man, with a nearly decade long criminal history of violence against women and children, is being charged in the murder of his girlfriend.
28-year-old Brandon Scott faces charges of first degree murder and arson.
Erica Jones, the victim discovered in a June 10 house fire, was unresponsive in the home when it was engulfed in flames, on the 300 block of South Saratoga.
The Peoria County Coroner determined that the 33-year-old woman was killed before the fire, likely from strangulation.
Jones’ family says Scott attempted to choke her in the past. Scott is being held on a $1.5 million bond.