Update: Terry J. Brownlee, 31, of Champaign, was charged with murder for allegedly stabbing his mother, Sharon Shirley Brownlee, 61, of Urbana, Monday at Champaign County Circuit Court.
Sharon Brownlee’s body was found, with stab wounds in it, during an early morning fire on Friday, April 12, at 407 South State St., apartment seven, according to a press release from the City of Champaign.
Her body was positively identified Monday by Champaign County Coroner Daune Northrup, according to a press release from the Champaign County Coroner’s office.
The Champaign Police Department is investigating a homicide after one person was found dead after an early morning fire at 407 South State St., Apt. 7, according to a press release from the City of Champaign.
Terry J. Brownlee was arrested and taken into custody by Champaign Police in the 1200 block of W. Hill, Urbana.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
The victim was found at Terry J. Brownlee’s apartment, but did not reside there. Terry J. Brownlee was not in the apartment at the time of the fire.
The Champaign Police Department is considering this to be an isolated incident and is not looking for any additional suspects.
The fire caused heavy smoke damage in apartment seven, and water damage in the apartment below it.
Residents to all but two of the apartments were able to return to their apartments about an hour after the fire had been extinguished, according to the press release.
The fire was reported around 6:10 a.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene and had the fire out at around 6:30 a.m.
Terry J. Brownlee’s bond is set at $5 million.