Crime
Ashley Tucker Dies After Ex-Boyfriend Allegedly Sets Her Home on Fire Following Series of Threats
MILFORD, ILLINOIS — Authorities are investigating a fatal house fire in Milford, Illinois, that claimed the life of 37-year-old Ashley Tucker, a mother and grandmother, who had recently sought protection from her ex-boyfriend amid escalating threats and harassment.
According to investigators, the tragic incident occurred on the night of October 16, when Tucker’s home became engulfed in flames shortly after she received a series of menacing text messages from her ex-boyfriend — despite a no-contact order being in place. One of the messages reportedly warned, “You are going to burn in hell.”
Fire officials believe the blaze was intentionally set, possibly using a Molotov cocktail that was thrown through her bedroom window.
The back door of Tucker’s residence had been nailed shut following a prior break-in, also allegedly involving the same individual, leaving her with few options to escape once the fire began to spread.
Neighbors reported that Tucker tried desperately to escape the burning home, managing to flee with her dog after sustaining severe burns.
Witnesses said she emerged from the house with flames on her body and collapsed outside, where residents rushed to assist, using water to extinguish the fire until emergency personnel arrived.
However, response efforts were delayed, as the volunteer fire department reportedly went to the wrong address before locating the burning home. Tucker was left lying outside for approximately 21 minutes before paramedics reached the scene around 10:00 p.m.
She was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where she was placed on life support. She succumbed to her injuries on October 20.
Family members said Tucker had lived in fear of her ex-boyfriend for months. She had filed for an Order of Protection but was too frightened to attend court proceedings, fearing he would retaliate or kill her.
Loved ones allege that she repeatedly reported trespassing and harassment incidents to authorities, but responses were limited due to severe staffing shortages in local law enforcement.
The Milford Police Department reportedly operates with only one part-time officer, and the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department provides intermittent patrol coverage, sometimes assigning a single deputy to multiple towns at once.
As of now, no arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains active, involving the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office, and state authorities.
Ashley Tucker is remembered by her family as a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend who loved cooking, bonfires, fixing things, and spending time outdoors.
She leaves behind two children, grandchildren, siblings, and parents, who are now calling for justice in her memory.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.