Missouri man gets life sentence for 2020 murder of teen girl found in southern Ilinois refuge

This week a Missouri man was sentenced to life in prison for a 2020 murder in southern Illinois' Pulaski County.

An Illinois State Police investigation resulted in the conviction of 35-year-old James Merritt. 

The charges stemmed from March of 2020 when the body of a woman was discovered inside a suitcase in the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge near Ullin, about 20 miles west of Metropolis.

State police identified the woman as 18-year-old Haley Decker of Normal, Illinois, who was reported missing three weeks before the body was found. 

Once Decker was identified, agents connected her through digital evidence to Merritt’s home in Morehouse, Missouri. A search of his home uncovered evidence that proved Decker had lived with Merritt.

Merritt was first charged with trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. As the investigation continued, it was determined that Merritt was responsible for the girl's death.

On January 26 of this year, Merritt was convicted of all charges in a New Madrid County court. At his formal sentencing hearing Wednesday, he received the life sentence for murder in the second degree, as well as other charges and fines.