PULASKI COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) – A Missouri man has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in connection to a body found four years ago in rural Pulaski County.

Illinois State Police say the body of Haley Decker, 18, of Normal, Illinois, was found in March 2020 stuffed inside of a suitcase in the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.  Decker had been reported missing earlier in the month. 

According to ISP, once Haley Decker was identified as the victim, investigators connected her through digital evidence to James Merritt’s home in Morehouse, MO.  In April 2020, police searched Merritt’s home and found evidence that proved Haley Decker had once lived with James Merritt. Other evidence obtained during the search revealed enough information to charge Merritt with trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and he was taken into custody.  As the investigation progressed, ISP determined that Merritt was responsible for the death of Decker and charged with murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence.

In January 2024 James Merrit was convicted on all charges.  In March 2024 he was sentenced to life in prison for murder in the second degree, 20 years in prison for armed criminal action, 4 years in prison for tampering with physical evidence, and 5 years in prison plus a $25,000 fine for trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.