Woman Found Dead in Humboldt Park Alley Was Strangled, Authorities Say

CHICAGO — A woman who was found dead wrapped in a blanket in an alley on Friday had been strangled, authorities announced Monday.

Police uncovered the 51-year-old woman about 2:20 p.m. Friday in the 600 block of North Homan Avenue in Humboldt Park, cops said.

Velma Howard — who lived in the 2900 block of West Madison Street in East Garfield Park — was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:02 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.

Detectives are investigating, police said, and no one is in custody.