Parolee faces murder charges in girlfriend's beating death

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - A Rockford man who was recently released from prison has been charged in his girlfriend's beating death.

Thirty-five-year-old Terrell Ellis was charged Monday with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of Monica Box. The Rockford Register Star (http://bit.ly/26PrFWR ) reports that he's being held on $2 million bond in the Winnebago County Jail.

Box was found severely beaten and suffering from life-threatening trauma to her head Thursday in her Rockford home. She was pronounced dead later that evening at a local hospital.

A candlelight vigil was held Monday to honor the 35-year-old single mother and shed light on domestic violence.

Ellis is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com