Shivangi Sinha
In September 2022, authorities responded to reports of a house fire in Troy, Illinois. Upon arrival, they discovered that Susanne Tomlinson was trapped inside. Despite their efforts, they were unable to rescue her. What remained a mystery was how Susanne had ended up in such a tragic situation—until her daughter, Courtney Tomlinson, decided to speak up. In the episode of ID’s ‘Evil Lives Here’ titled ‘He Took My Soul,’ Courtney shared a detailed account of the events leading up to the fire and revealed who she believes is responsible for her mother’s death.
Susanne Tomlinson Passed Away After Her House Caught Fire
Susanne Elise Tomlinson was born in 1953 to Harold and Ruth Hogue. She grew up alongside her sisters, Freddie Mosier and Donna Urban, and was known for her vibrant spirit and zest for life. Susanne built her life in Troy, Illinois, where she became a beloved and active member of the community. She had a natural gift for forming deep, lasting friendships and was someone others could rely on through both joyful and difficult times. Her circle of close friends, affectionately known as “The Mermaids,” became a sisterhood of unwavering support. But above all, the greatest joy in Susanne’s life came from being a mother. Her daughter, Courtney, was the most cherished blessing she ever received.
When Susanne became a grandmother to Serenity and Zaniah Green, she embraced the role wholeheartedly and played an active part in raising them. Living just next door to Courtney, she shared an incredibly close bond with her daughter—one that grew deeper over time. From celebrating Valentine’s Day together to going on family vacations, their relationship evolved into more of a best-friend dynamic than a traditional mother-daughter one. In 2021, they took a memorable trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where Susanne experienced pure joy—swimming in the ocean, collecting starfish, and soaking up the sun. It was a moment in her life where she felt truly content, as if all her dreams had come true. But that happiness came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end.
On the afternoon of September 22, 2022, the 69-year-old was at home and became trapped in a house fire. Her daughter, Courtney, rushed outside upon realizing what was happening, but with the doors locked from the inside, she was helpless to reach her mother. Emergency responders, including police and firefighters, arrived quickly, but by the time they managed to control the flames enough to get inside, it was too late. Susanne had already passed away. Her autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was smoke inhalation combined with burn injuries.
Susanne Tomlinson’s Killer Had Attacked Her Daughter First
Susanne Tomlinson’s death was far from a simple accident. When authorities arrived at the scene, they not only found her but also rescued another individual from the burning home—Michael Sloan Jr., Courtney’s then-fiancé. He had suffered severe injuries, with burns covering 40% of his body, and was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment. As investigators worked to piece together what had happened, they turned to Courtney for answers. In a detailed account, she began by explaining how she had met Michael. Their relationship progressed quickly, and they were already living together within just a few weeks of dating. She admitted that it wasn’t something they had planned; instead, he had shown up at her doorstep one day, and she felt unable to turn him away.
Courtney alleged that Michael exhibited obsessive behavior and monitored her every move closely. She also claimed that their relationship was marked by frequent violent outbursts. One particular incident that stood out to her occurred during a family vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. According to Courtney, he became furious with her for some issue and had allegedly been verbally abusive. From then on, her mother began to distance herself from him and never really warmed up to him afterward. Courtney also alleged that, at one point, Michael had tried to attack her physically. Shaken by the incident, she broke off the relationship. However, despite the red flags, the two ended up reconciling not long after, but she said that she always felt Michael held a grudge against her.
Recounting the events of September 22, 2022, Courtney said she had noticed that gas cans were missing from her garage. When she confronted Michael about it, he claimed he had no idea what had happened to them. Later that day, after returning home from the gym, she alleged that Michael attacked her and doused her with gasoline. She recalled being unable to see clearly and suffering chemical burns but still managed to escape the house. According to her, after this, he made his way next door to Susanne’s house and locked the doors from the inside. Courtney said she could hear her mother screaming but was powerless to help. She firmly believes that Michael intended to kill not just Susanne and herself but also take his own life that day.
Michael Sloan Jr. is Behind Bars Today
After recovering from his injuries, Michael Sloan Jr. was officially charged with first-degree murder along with several other felony counts and taken into custody. A trial had initially been scheduled, but in January 2024, he chose to plead guilty to the murder charge. As part of the plea deal, the additional charges were dropped. In February 2024, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Currently, he is incarcerated at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois. Now 43 years old, he is required to serve the entirety of his sentence without the possibility of early release. His projected release date has been set for the year 2075.
Courtney Tomlinson is Focusing Her Energy on Her Daughters
Courtney has openly shared how profoundly her mother’s death affected her and revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple mental health conditions, including PTSD. In the aftermath, she took it upon herself to organize a fundraiser to cover the funeral expenses and went on to host a heartfelt celebration of Susanne’s life on October 15, 2022, at Troy Park. The event brought together family and friends, and all united in honoring the memory of a woman who had meant so much to them.
Now on her path to healing, Courtney continues to live in Troy, Illinois. She was present at Michael’s sentencing and delivered a powerful victim impact statement in court, holding him accountable for robbing her of her mother—her closest friend—in such a horrific way. As of February 2024, she was working at Lotawata Creek but has since stepped away from that position. Despite the challenges, her focus remains firmly on her daughters, Serenity and Zaniah Green, who are the center of her world. These days, Courtney dedicates herself to their well-being, drawing strength from her role as a mother while navigating life without her mother. Not a day passes without her feeling the absence of her mother, but she is learning to carry that grief with grace.
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