PEORIA, Ill. – An arrest has been made in connection to the death of a man in a burnt garage in Peoria’s North Valley last month.

The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 62-year-old Joseph Alexander was ordered detained at a hearing Wednesday after being taken into custody on Tuesday.

Alexander is charged with First Degree Murder in the November 26th death of 68-year-old Jimmy Steele, who prosecutors say had been living in the garage in the area of Perry and Voris.

Steele’s body was found after the garage fire was put out, with an autopsy showing he suffered strangulation and multiple blunt and sharp force injuries before the fire.

Prosecutors say officers responded to a call shortly after the fire and reportedly found Alexander with blood on his clothes and right hand. H

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