The victim in Sunday’s deadly assault on North Soangetaha Road has been identified as Georgette Evan Rodrigues, 67, of Galesburg, according to Knox County Coroner Jacque Dare.
Rodrigues was pronounced deceased at the scene at 4:48 p.m. Sunday. According to Dare, an autopsy conducted Monday in Peoria by the Peoria County Coroner’s Office confirmed death resulted from blunt force head trauma caused by an assault.
The suspect, David L. Nicholson Klingerman Jr., 29, of Galesburg, made his initial court appearance Tuesday morning in Knox County Court. Probable cause was found on all charges. The case was continued to 1 p.m. Wednesday for a detention hearing.
In addition to first-degree murder, Klingerman faces:
- Aggravated domestic battery
- Aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a person 60 years of age or older
- Concealment of homicidal death
- Aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon
Original Incident Recap
Galesburg Police responded to 30 N. Soangetaha Road at 12:32 p.m. Sunday for a well-being check. Officers discovered Rodrigues outside the residence with severe blunt force injuries. No other individuals were located at the scene.
Klingerman was taken into custody the following morning (Monday, Oct. 27) at approximately 8:45 a.m. at the same address. He was initially detained as a person of interest before being formally charged.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Galesburg Police Department at (309) 343-9151 or Galesburg Area Crime Stoppers** at (309) 344-0044. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the p3 app or the Galesburg PD Facebook page.
Assisting agencies include the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, Knox County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Knox County Sheriff’s Office.