Podcast Summary: "He Cut Off Her Head Weeks Before Her Due Date: The Murder Of Liese Dodd"

Podcast: I Wish You Were Here
Host: Michelle Cuervo
Episode Date: March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping and somber episode, Michelle Cuervo tells the harrowing true story of Liese (Lisa) Dodd, a joyful young woman eight months pregnant, whose life and that of her unborn daughter ("Baby Bean") were brutally ended by her on-again, off-again boyfriend, DeAndre Holloway Jr., in Alton, Illinois, in June 2022. Cuervo explores the personal histories, cycles of domestic violence, and the devastating ripple effects of the crime—including the protracted legal battle and its impact on the victims' families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Lisa Dodd

• Background
  • Lisa was "a bright, happy young woman with a big heart and a future full of possibility" (00:26).
  • She grew up in Jerseyville, IL, graduated high school in 2017, and aspired to work in medicine like her mother, Heidi, a nurse.
  • She was busy "nesting" ahead of her daughter's due date, creating a warm home and setting up a baby shower (00:12).

2. Lisa's Relationship with DeAndre Holloway

• Cycle of Abuse
  • The relationship was intensely toxic and violent: "It was not uncommon for Lisa to show up to work with two black eyes or bruises all over her body." (02:45)
  • DeAndre and Lisa cycled through abusive conflict and apologies, affecting not just Lisa but her family, friends, and coworkers (04:00).
  • "DeAndre's family members also knew that there was a side of him that was unstable and aggressive and scary at times." (05:12)

3. DeAndre’s Mental Health & Downward Spiral

• Background
  • Once a sports star, DeAndre "began to fracture inside" after dropping out of high school (06:20).
  • He suffered from severe, untreated mental illness, hearing voices—one called Ruth who, according to his stepfather, fed his paranoia and instability (07:00).
  • His parents' attempts to get him forcibly treated failed due to state laws: "In Illinois...you cannot be forcibly committed...unless you have already done something proven to be dangerous." (08:15)
  • He had minor criminal infractions but nothing that flagged him as a serious threat on paper (10:00).

4. Events Leading to the Murder

• Chronology
  • June 8, 2022: Lisa had been trying to contact DeAndre after a fight. Despite advice to distance herself, she "just could not help but worry about him." (12:28)
  • Late that evening, DeAndre was dropped off at her work; they returned to her apartment together.
  • "Her last text to her mom ever was, 'I'm trying to figure it out.'" (14:30)
  • Neighbors reported a muffled scream and "the sound of someone chopping wood"—later realized to be the sound of Lisa's decapitation (15:05).

5. Discovery of the Crime

• Key Moment
  • Lisa’s mother, Heidi, sensed something was wrong after failed attempts to contact Lisa, and visited the apartment (17:32).
  • She discovered the crime scene and called 911 in a state of devastation:

    "My daughter's boyfriend killed her. He chopped her head off." (Heidi, 18:34)

  • Police found Lisa’s head in a dumpster and her body inside her apartment (19:29).

6. Investigation & Arrest

• Swift Identification and Capture
  • Evidence and witness statements made DeAndre the immediate suspect.
  • He was arrested the day Lisa's body was found after being picked up for a bicycle theft, with a changed appearance after cutting off his dreads (20:50).
  • Charged with first degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, dismemberment, and more (21:55).

    Police Chief Polito: "What happened to 22-year-old Lisa Dodd, who had just moved to Alton, is beyond reprehensible. It is completely terrible what happened to her." (22:44)

7. Community & Family Response

• Family's Grief and Resilience
  • The baby shower became a funeral; the family raised funds for expenses and donated to local charities for domestic violence and the humane society (24:00).
  • "It is incredible that in grief, Lisa’s family still found a way to give back." (24:45)

8. Legal Proceedings

• Delays and Obstacles
  • DeAndre was declared unfit for trial due to mental incompetency, then later found fit—delaying prosecution for over a year (25:20).
  • The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the unborn child could not be considered a second victim for the purpose of imposing consecutive life sentences—a devastating blow for the family (26:30).

    "The Illinois supreme court ruled that the innocent life in the womb...was not a victim for the purposes of sentencing." (State's Attorney Tom Haines, 27:09)

  • DeAndre was allowed to represent himself before ultimately pleading guilty in December 2024 (28:40).

9. Sentencing and Impact Statements

• Courtroom and Closure
  • Sentencing took place January 17, 2025. Lisa’s mother gave a powerful, deeply moving victim impact statement:

    "On that night, I received a life sentence to live the remainder of my life without my beautiful, loving, sassy daughter. A life without knowing the joy of watching Lisa raise my granddaughter." (Heidi, 29:50) "All Lisa wanted to do was love him, that she was a light sent to your dark world." (Heidi to DeAndre, 31:00)

  • DeAndre was sentenced to 60 years (30 for murder, 20 for homicide of an unborn child, 10 for concealment), served consecutively (31:45).

    "I don't believe he'll be seeing the light of day as a free man." (State Attorney, 32:10)

10. Remembering Lisa

• Michelle’s Final Words
  • Michelle closes with emphasis on Lisa’s legacy:

    "She was the best version of what a person could be at 22, imperfect, alive, and full of love." (32:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It has been said time and time again that this case is way too disturbing to make it to Netflix. It is not easy to listen to...It is heartbreaking, it is graphic..." — Michelle Cuervo (01:00)
• "She was, by every account that exists, a bright, happy young woman with a big heart and a future full of possibility." — Michelle (00:26)
• "What his stepdad referred to [as] a tough crew...But even that proved impossible for him to sustain. No aspect of his life was going well. And according to his stepfather, the reason was the voices." — Michelle (06:55)
• "[Lisa's mother, Heidi,] runs out. She calls 911 in clear, pure and utter distress. You can see the neighbors also...immediately concerned just by taking one look at her face." — Michelle (17:50)
• "She did not scream. She did not rage. She measured out her grief in precise, heartbreaking sentences." —Michelle on Heidi's impact statement (29:50)
• "A young woman who had attended college, who had dreams of working in medicine, who had filled out a baby registry with care...imperfect, alive, and full of love." — Michelle (32:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|------------| | Lisa’s background, pregnancy and future | 00:00–04:00| | Toxic relationship with DeAndre | 04:00–06:56| | DeAndre’s mental health spiral | 06:57–10:30| | Immediate lead-up to the murder | 12:28–16:00| | The crime and its discovery | 17:32–19:29| | Police investigation and arrest | 19:30–22:44| | Family’s grief and fundraising | 24:00–24:45| | Legal complications and delays | 25:20–28:40| | Courtroom impact statements & sentencing | 29:50–32:32| | Closing reflection on Lisa | 32:32–end |

Tone & Style

Michelle approaches the subject with great sensitivity and gravity, blending careful reporting with empathetic storytelling. Her narration includes moments of direct address to the audience, urging reflection on domestic violence and remembrance of the victim’s humanity, rather than the notoriety of the crime alone.

For listeners who haven’t tuned in, this episode not only recounts a deeply tragic and disturbing crime, but also thoughtfully examines the failings of the legal and mental health systems, the long aftermath for loved ones, and the enduring legacy of a young woman lost too soon.