Carbondale man arrested on first-degree murder charge after woman found dead

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A 39-year-old Carbondale man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge after police found a woman dead inside a residence Thursday afternoon.

According to the Carbondale Police Department, officers were contacted by James L. Harris, 39, of Carbondale, around 3:17 p.m. Nov. 5.

Police said Harris told officers he was responsible for the death of an adult woman he lived with in the 2500 block of New Era Road.

Officers responded to the residence and found the woman dead.

The Jackson County Coroner’s Office was called to assist with the investigation.

Police said Harris was arrested on a first-degree murder charge and taken to the Jackson County Jail, where he is being held pending a detention hearing.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of her family.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carbondale Police Department at 618-549-2121.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers at 618-549-2677 or Murphysboro/Jackson County Crime Stoppers at 618-687-2677.

Harris is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.