Kimberly M. George, a 31-year-old woman from Georgetown, Illinois, was tragically killed on March 26, 2018. She was found dead at her residence in the Terrace Acres Mobile Home Park along Mill Road. The police responded to a report of shots fired around 6:20 a.m. and discovered Kimberly's body along with a young man, Eric Stark, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Eric, in his early twenties, was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery, later reported to be in stable condition. The police confirmed that there were children present at the residence during the incident, but they were unharmed and placed with other family members.
The investigation revealed that Kimberly George, a white female, had been living with Eric Stark, although they were not married. They had two children together, and Kimberly had a third child from a previous relationship. The police, along with the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Officer and the Vermilion County Coroner's office, spent the day gathering evidence from the mobile home and nearby locations. Despite their efforts, no immediate motive for the shooting was released.
The case took a significant turn when Michael Long, a 28-year-old man from Danville, Illinois, was arrested and charged with Kimberly's murder. Long, along with co-defendant Laura Johnson, had gone to Kimberly's residence and had a disagreement with her. Long later admitted to shooting and killing Kimberly before fleeing the scene. In July 2020, Michael Long was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder, with an additional three years of probation to follow. Laura Johnson was sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2018 for her role in the crime.
The tragic death of Kimberly M. George left a profound impact on her family and the Georgetown community. She was remembered as a loving mother and a dedicated caregiver who worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Her untimely death and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims.
