Woman who killed police chief boyfriend with eye drops finds out her sentence

Illinois Woman Sentenced in Poisoning Case

A woman from Illinois has been sentenced after a disturbing case came to light where she gradually poisoned her former police chief boyfriend. This conclusion was reached during a sentencing hearing on Monday, according to various reports.

Marcy Oglesby, age 53, received a sentence of 50 years in prison for her actions, which included first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault. The victim, Richard Young, was a former police chief and was 71 at the time of his death.

According to the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office, Oglesby began administering tetrahydrozoline—a common ingredient in eye drops—into Young’s food and drinks in the summer of 2021. Young faced a gradual decline in health, eventually dying on November 1, 2021.

During the sentencing, Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Warby expressed disbelief at the crime, stating, “She murdered a man who loved her and cared for her for nearly 30 years. And she didn’t just kill him. She poisoned him and watched him suffer.”

After Young’s death, Oglesby concealed his body in a storage room near her apartment, and it was discovered a year later, on October 7, 2022. An autopsy confirmed that Young had died from tetrahydrozoline poisoning.

Oglesby had been sentenced in June. In a somewhat dispassionate remark, she stated, “I respectfully disagree with the court’s findings. I will not address a murder that did not occur.” She even noted the time she spent with Young’s body before it was discovered, saying, “He didn’t go into the box right away. I put him back in bed and kept talking to him for three days.”

Friends of Young paid tribute to his legacy during the proceedings. Natalie Mason, a close friend, spoke fondly of him, highlighting his commitment to the community and saying, “Rick was always there for everyone, whether they were friends or foes. He looked out for our community for many years. He was a good man who deserved a lot and deserved more than he got.”