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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Sex offender sentenced to 52 years for murder of teenage girl

By Austin Lamb, News Editor
August 24, 2025
Totus Tuus Keely
The setting sun casts sharp shadows on Thursday evening at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Timothy M. Doll was found guilty of the murder of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland and sentenced to 52 years in prison on Thursday at the DeKalb County Courthouse, two years and one week after her death. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

DeKALB – Convicted sex offender Timothy Doll was sentenced to 52 years in prison Thursday for the killing of 15-year-old Gracie Sasso-Cleveland in 2023.

Doll was charged on May 8, 2023, and pleaded guilty to first degree murder on Feb. 5, 2025, one month before a jury was set to convene for a trial.

On May 4, 2023, following an argument in his apartment, then 29-year-old Doll suffocated Sasso-Cleveland, whom he was in an illegal relationship with. Sasso-Cleveland’s body was later found inside a dumpster off College Avenue near NIU’s campus on May 7, 2023, a day after her mother reported her missing.

Prior to the murder, Doll was a registered sex offender with the DeKalb County Police Department. Court records show he was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and attempted child pornography in May 2020, for which he was still on probation at the time of the murder.

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About the Contributors
Austin Lamb
Austin Lamb, News Editor
Austin Lamb is a sophomore majoring in English with a history minor. He is responsible for coverage of NIU’s Student Government Association. Outside of the Star, Austin enjoys playing music, weightlifting and playing PC games with his friends.  
Totus Tuus Keely
Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor
Totus Tuus Keely is a junior mechatronics engineering major at NIU. He began as a photographer in the spring 2024 semester. Outside of his busy class schedule, he enjoys photographing sports and capturing the emotions of fans and players. He was able to travel and photograph the historic football win against No. 5 Notre Dame in 2024. Along with photography, he enjoys performing in the World Music Program and the NIU Pep Band, as well as constantly expanding his musical taste.
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