Autopsy Reveals Death of Good Hope Man
By Community News Brief Staff
An autopsy Monday morning following a domestic disturbance May 8 in Good Hope revealed that the 66-year-old man involved in the incident died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to McDonough County Coroner Eric Jameson, Curtis J. Miller of 400 N. Monmouth St. was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m., Friday, May 8. Jameson told The Community News Brief that positive identification was made from a serial number on a prosthetic.
Around 10:15 a.m. Friday, McDonough County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the Miller home after a truck driver going past the home along U.S. 67 witnessed a woman covered in blood exiting the home and called 911. The female told police officers her husband had attacked her with a knife. Due to the extent of her injuries, she was airlifted to OSF in Peoria where she was listed in stable condition following the incident.
McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout said that witnesses saw Miller leave the Monmouth Street home Friday morning shortly after his wife was transported to the hospital, and then re-enter the home. Miller, who had barricaded himself in the home, then started a fire inside the residence. At 4:30 p.m., after obtaining a search warrant, the Illinois State Police tactical team attempted to enter the residence, which was still on fire. Firefighters then entered the dwelling and located Miller, who was no longer alive.
Illinois State Police Troop 4, along with the Illinois State Fire Marshal, continue to investigate the incident
