A Central Illinois woman pleads guilty to first degree murder in the death of her mother – whose body was found on the side of the road near Funks Grove.

Twenty-two-year-old Christine Rousch of Washington appeared in McLean County Court Wednesday morning before Judge Robert Freitag. Rousch pleaded guilty to the murder of her mother, 47 year-old Theresa Poehlman of Peoria, on July 2nd near Funks Grove. 

Freitag presented the factual basis for evidence, which explains Poehlman was visiting the area and was staying at a Bloomington hotel. She met with Rousch on July 1st, along with 22-year-old co-defendant Matthew Isbell of Marquette Heights. Evidence indicates Rouch struck Poehlman with a tire iron-like object, strangled her, and stabbed her before leaving her to die. McLean County Police were called to the scene during the evening hours of July 2nd. 

Rousch’s sentencing hearing will be on January 31st at 1:30 p.m. and Isbell’s trial date is set for May 7th.

This story was submitted to us by WJBC’s Patrick Baron.