60-year-old woman died after her drunk 46-year-old son, who was sick of her dating life and refusal to give him money, wrapped a cord around her neck and strangled her to death; son sentenced
Illinois – In a disturbing case that shocked Illinois residents, a 60-year-old woman, identified as N. Caraker, was strangled to death in her own bed by her drunken 46-year-old son, identified as N. Howard, who admitted he was angry about her dating life and refusal to give him money.
Howard was recently sentenced to three decades in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of his mother. During a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Judge A. Maher handed down the prison term, which Howard must serve in full, without eligibility for early release.
The chilling incident unfolded in the early morning hours of Sept. 13, 2023, inside Caraker’s home. Howard, heavily intoxicated at the time, allegedly flew into a rage after his mother returned home from a date. Prosecutors said his anger had been building over her relationships and her refusal to support him financially. Assistant State Attorney L. Yager said Howard “got drunk enough that he couldn’t take it anymore,” then “wrapped that cord around her neck and he pulled, until she stopped breathing.” The murder weapon—a bungee cord—was still around Caraker’s neck when police arrived.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., Howard himself called 911, telling the dispatcher that he was concerned because his mother was “unresponsive.” When officers arrived, they found Caraker lying in bed, with the bungee cord still tied tightly around her neck. She was not breathing and could not be revived. Authorities said Howard, who appeared visibly intoxicated, told officers he had seen an unknown man flee from a sliding glass door moments before discovering his mother. However, police quickly found inconsistencies in his story—the door was locked from the inside, and there were no signs of forced entry. Howard was taken into custody soon after.
While in custody, Howard reportedly changed his account of events and gave no credible explanation for his mother’s death. Prosecutors emphasized his history of violent behavior and prior arrests involving other family members. The weeklong trial concluded in February with a jury finding Howard guilty of first-degree murder after just three hours of deliberation. Though prosecutors had sought a minimum 45-year sentence, Judge Maher ultimately issued a 30-year term.
Notably, Howard’s sister A. Hall and her fiancée stood by him during the trial, even testifying for the defense. Andrea Hall said she believed police were too quick to arrest her brother and was shocked by the guilty verdict. Howard’s attorneys, J. Sackett and D. Fahrenkamp, also suggested law enforcement rushed to judgment. They pointed to DNA evidence found on the bungee cord and under Caraker’s fingernails that allegedly matched a man she had dated the night of her death—not Howard. They criticized investigators for failing to obtain a DNA sample from that individual for more than a year.
Despite those arguments, prosecutors maintained that the motive, physical evidence, and Howard’s shifting stories all pointed clearly to his guilt. His defense team has already announced plans to appeal the outcome. Caraker’s death marked a tragic end to a family conflict driven by alcohol, resentment, and a long-standing history of domestic unrest. With her son now behind bars, prosecutors hope the family can find a measure of peace after such an unthinkable betrayal.
