Illinois man accused of murder and arson in woman’s death

Police have arrested a man in connection with the strangulation death of a woman in Illinois, whose body was found in a burned home.

Police confirmed they arrested Tahir Goodman, 28, for the murder of J’Naysia Marie Hobbs, 24, this week, according to CI Proud.

Goodman faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated arson connected to Hobbs’ death, CI Proud reported.

Hobbs’ body was found in a fire in the 1000 block of E. Virginia Avenue in Peoria, Illinois, around 5 a.m. on Dec. 1, according to CI Proud.

Fire crews received reports of the residential fire with residents still inside, CI Proud reported. Crews found Hobbs inside the home during a search, according to CI Proud.

One firefighter was injured, and firefighters estimated a total of $60,000 in damage to the home, CI Proud reported.

Police initially thought Hobbs died in the fire, but a coroner ruled that she “died by strangulation by another, and was deceased prior to the fire,” according to CI Proud.

Due to the extent of fire damage, the coroner used Hobbs’ dental records to confirm her identity, CI Proud reported.

Goodman is being held in the Peoria County Jail, according to CI Proud.

Records show Goodman has been arrested twice for domestic battery since 2017, with the most recent arrest being on Oct. 20, CI Proud reported.