By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A judge set bail at $5 million Friday for a Bloomington murder suspect accused of stabbing his victim more than 100 times with a pocket knife.
McLean County prosecutors revealed some of the details surrounding the death of Shannon Hastings, 27, of Peoria in a west side motel room last Sunday, but evidence indicated Hastings had been dead for a few days.
In court on Friday, prosecutors said Kyle Brestan, 32, faces up to natural life in prison if he’s convicted. They said the blood pattern on Hastings’ body was consistent with an attacker straddling her. An autopsy revealed Hastings had been stabbed approximately 105 times in the neck and body.
Prosecutors said police found a folding pocket knife in a dumpster, which tested positive for the presence of blood.
During police interviews, Brestan said Hastings was a friend, and he admitted being in the motel room many times.
On May 16th, five days before Hastings’ body was found, video surveillance cameras showed Brestan wearing pants with large red stains, which is consistent with other evidence showing the suspect straddled the victim during the attack.
Brestan reportedly told police he suffered injuries to his hands while cutting a tree in his yard, but his roommates said he didn’t help them cut the tree.
Prosecutors say Brestan is a drug user, and his prior record includes domestic battery and obstructing justice.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
