Victor Terrell murdered Stephanie Haynes and burned down her house, police said. (Mugshot: Chicago Police Department; Screenshot: WLS)
Chicago, Illinois police say it was Victor Terrell, 35, who murdered pregnant Stephanie Haynes, 34, and burned down her home more than two years ago.
“I’m in shock,” the victim’s sister, Lesley Haynes, told WLS at the time of the murder. “I can’t believe someone would do something like that to her because she wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Police said Terrell was arrested Friday in the 8000 block of S. Houston Avenue.
“He has been identified as the offender who on November 9, 2020 participated in the arson and death of a 34-year-old woman in the 5000 block of W. Gladys Ave (15th District),” wrote agents. “The offender has been taken into custody and charged accordingly.”
Terrell faces one count of first-degree murder, aggravated arson knowing someone is present and concealing the death of another. Cops didn’t immediately suggest a motive as to why he killed Stephanie Haynes. They also did not detail the connection between the two.
Offender charged with the murder of a 34-year-old woman in November 2020 @ChicagoCAPS15 @Area4Detectives #ChicagoPolice pic.twitter.com/b0O9r6yjvj
— Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) May 21, 2023
Officers at the time said they believed the victim had died before the fire.
Lesley Haynes said at the time of the murder that her sister was five months pregnant.
“She’s a smart girl,” she told WLS in 2020. “Pretty. Smart. She was a really good dancer. It’s just sickening because she wouldn’t hurt anyone.
The sister said she went home that morning because she had long been worried about Haynes. Stephanie Haynes had a tough life, living in shelters and dealing with mental health issues, Lesley Haynes said. The victim had recently moved from Seattle to Chicago and was living with his grandmother. After the grandmother’s death, Stephanie Haynes was left alone in the house from then on.
“She was walking around the block frequently, bringing people over. All kinds of stuff,” neighbor Darryl Stingley told the outlet. “But that’s about all I know about her.”
Lesley Haynes said she advised her sister to stay in Seattle because the resources were better there. She said she felt like people were taking advantage of her sister because of her mental capacity.
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