PEORIA, Ill. — A man is facing a lengthy prison term after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend and leaving her body in a ditch. Joshua McGee, 39, received a 65-year sentence, which will likely keep him incarcerated for the rest of his life.
McGee was found guilty of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, leading Peoria County Chief Judge Katherine Gorman to impose a sentence that encompasses 55 years for the murder and an additional 10 years for the weapons charge. Under Illinois law, he will not be eligible for parole, meaning he must serve the total length of the murder sentence.
The tragic events unfolded in the early hours of August 22, 2021, when Peoria County deputies responded to a 911 call alerting them to a woman lying on the ground near a rural intersection. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ashley Tankersley, 37, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was declared dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly connected the emergency call to McGee, tracing his location to a rest stop in Sherman, approximately 85 miles away. A protracted standoff ensued before law enforcement was able to apprehend him without further incident.
In McGee’s vehicle, officers found a handgun, spent shell casings, and personal belongings belonging to Tankersley. Forensic tests later indicated that her blood was on McGee’s shoes, while ballistics matched the shell casings to the firearm found in his car.
Additional evidence gathered during the investigation included phone records showing McGee’s presence at the site of the shooting. During the trial, jurors heard the urgent 911 call placed after the shooting, during which a male voice desperately requested help for Tankersley before the call abruptly ended.
Witness testimony painted a picture of the couple’s final hours together, revealing that McGee, Tankersley, and their friends had spent the evening drinking before leaving together. McGee later confessed to consuming alcohol that night during police questioning.
Tankersley is remembered by loved ones for her vibrant spirit and unforgettable smile. The judge’s decision to issue the maximum sentence underscores the community’s grief and the severity of the crime, ensuring that McGee will remain behind bars for the foreseeable future.