DeKalb, IL – Timothy Doll, a 32-year-old man with a history of sex offenses, has been sentenced to 52 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Gracie Sasso-Cleveland. The teen was suffocated and discarded in a nearby dumpster in May 2023.
Doll Apologizes in Court for Killing Gracie
During his sentencing hearing, Doll expressed remorse for his actions, stating he “deserves every year I am given” as he faced the consequences for his heinous crime. Doll had previously pleaded guilty to suffocating Gracie during a violent argument on May 4, 2023. Gracie was reported missing two days later, and her body was discovered in a dumpster on May 7, 2023.
“I knew I was in a highly inappropriate relationship,” Doll said in court, acknowledging his past criminal history as a registered sex offender at the time of Gracie’s death.
Details of the Murder and the Investigation
Doll and Gracie had a heated argument that escalated into Doll suffocating her with a pillow. After Gracie was dead, Doll removed her clothing and disposed of her body in a laundry basket, carrying it to a nearby dumpster. The DeKalb County Coroner’s Office determined that asphyxiation was the cause of death.
Gracie’s Last Moments and the Investigation
Police were able to trace Gracie’s cellphone records, which revealed that she had been at Doll’s registered address on the night of her death. Following several search warrants and evidence collection, authorities detained Doll the same day Gracie’s body was found. He was charged with murder the next day.
Sentencing and Background on Doll’s Criminal History
Circuit Court Judge Philip Montgomery condemned Doll’s actions, calling it “treated her no better than you would an ordinary sack of trash.” He added, “You stole her innocence. And ultimately, you stole her life.” Doll was sentenced to 52 years in prison with credit for time already served, though prosecutors had pushed for a 60-year sentence. Doll’s public defender argued for a 30-year sentence, citing Doll’s troubled upbringing and mental illness.
Doll had a previous conviction for aggravated sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl in 2020. Despite serving a prison sentence and being placed on probation, he continued to prey on young girls, according to Lead Prosecutor Scott Schwertley.
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