Madison Finch, a 19-year-old white female from La Harpe, Illinois, tragically lost her life on January 1, 2018. Madison, a freshman at Illinois State University, was shot in the back of her head during a New Year's Eve party at her residence in La Harpe. The incident occurred during an apparent altercation at the party, leading to her untimely death.
The primary suspect in Madison Finch's murder was Antonio Sanchez, an 18-year-old male from Hamilton. Sanchez was initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery. However, during the legal proceedings, Sanchez entered a plea deal, resulting in a guilty plea to second-degree murder and home invasion. Consequently, he was sentenced to concurrent 20-year prison terms for both charges.
The court proceedings revealed that Sanchez had knocked Madison Finch to the ground and shot her in the back of the head. The plea agreement allowed Sanchez to avoid a potential life sentence, with the possibility of early release after serving 17 years. During the sentencing, Madison's family, including her mother Carrie Finch and sister Josie Finch, provided emotional victim impact statements, describing the profound impact of Madison's death on their lives and the community.
Madison Finch was remembered as a compassionate individual who was studying to become a nurse to help children with cancer. Her death not only devastated her family but also left a lasting impact on her friends and the entire community of La Harpe.
