An Illinois man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, whom he shot and left to die in a roadside ditch more than three years ago.
According to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, 39-year-old Joshua McGee was sentenced on October 2 after being convicted in August of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He will serve his sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The case dates back to August 22, 2021, when deputies from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area near Philander Chase Lane and U.S. Route 150 in Brimfield. There, officers discovered McGee’s girlfriend, 33-year-old Ashley Tankersley, lying in a ditch with gunshot wounds. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries.
Authorities said McGee himself placed the initial 911 call that led deputies to the scene. Afterward, investigators tracked him to a rest stop, where a tense, hours-long standoff unfolded before he was taken into custody, reports 25 News Now.
During the investigation, detectives recovered crucial evidence linking McGee to the crime. A handgun, spent shell casings, and several of Tankersley’s belongings were found inside his vehicle. Forensic testing confirmed that the shell casings had been fired from the same weapon discovered in McGee’s possession. In addition, investigators found traces of the victim’s blood on McGee’s shoes, further tying him to the murder.
Prosecutors described the crime as both calculated and cruel. They argued that McGee showed no remorse after shooting Tankersley and leaving her to die alone on the side of the road. The jury deliberated for only a short time before finding him guilty on all charges.
During sentencing, the judge emphasized the severity of McGee’s actions and his prior criminal record, which included multiple felony convictions that prohibited him from owning a firearm. The 65-year sentence ensures that McGee will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos commended law enforcement and forensic investigators for their thorough work on the case, which brought justice for Tankersley and her family.
“This was a senseless act of violence that robbed a young woman of her life and devastated those who loved her,” a spokesperson for the State’s Attorney’s Office said. McGee remains in custody at the Peoria County Jail and will be transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.