Topline: Prosecutors said Howard became enraged over his mother’s relationships, then murdered her in September 2023 after getting drunk.
Published: May 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Neil Howard (via Madison County IL State's Attorney's Office)
EDWARDSVILLE, IL — An Illinois man has been sentenced for the brutal murder of his mother, whom he strangled with a bungee cord after she returned home from a date.
Neil Howard, 46, was convicted in February of first-degree murder in the death of 60-year-old Norma J. Caraker.
On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Amy Maher handed down a sentence of 30 years in prison, which Howard must serve in its entirety, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
He will not be eligible for parole until age 76.
According to prosecutors, the murder occurred in the early hours of September 13, 2023, in the bedroom of Caraker’s home on Lower Marine Road in Troy. Howard, who lived in the basement of the residence, called 911 around 1:30 a.m. to report his mother was unresponsive.
When officers arrived, they found Caraker in bed with a bungee cord still wrapped around her neck. She was not breathing and could not be revived.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Luke Yager and Ryan Kemper presented evidence during a week-long trial that painted a chilling picture of growing resentment and violence. They told jurors that Howard had become increasingly angry about his mother’s dating life — anger that eventually erupted into lethal rage.
In his closing argument, Yager told jurors that Howard had grown “angrier and angrier and angrier, until he got drunk enough that he couldn’t take it anymore,” ultimately killing his mother by wrapping a cord around her neck and pulling until she stopped breathing.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Yager argued for a 45-year sentence, citing Howard’s history of violent incidents involving other family members. “It is clear that the defendant is a violent individual, and he’s especially violent toward women,” he said.
Despite the prosecution’s request for a longer sentence, Judge Maher sentenced Howard to 30 years. Under Illinois law, he must serve 100 percent of the sentence with no possibility of early release.
“If this individual ever steps foot outside a prison, he’ll be an elderly man,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. “We continue to hold the family and loved ones of Norma in our prayers. They have exhibited true grace and poise throughout these difficult proceedings. Our hope is that this resolution allows them to begin to heal.”
Howard remains in custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Man Sentenced for Strangling Mother with Bungee Cord Because He Was ‘Unhappy’ About Her Dating
Prosecutors said Howard became enraged over his mother’s relationships, then murdered her in September 2023 after getting drunk.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
Neil Howard (via Madison County IL State's Attorney's Office)
EDWARDSVILLE, IL — An Illinois man has been sentenced for the brutal murder of his mother, whom he strangled with a bungee cord after she returned home from a date.
Neil Howard, 46, was convicted in February of first-degree murder in the death of 60-year-old Norma J. Caraker.
On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Amy Maher handed down a sentence of 30 years in prison, which Howard must serve in its entirety, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
He will not be eligible for parole until age 76.
According to prosecutors, the murder occurred in the early hours of September 13, 2023, in the bedroom of Caraker’s home on Lower Marine Road in Troy. Howard, who lived in the basement of the residence, called 911 around 1:30 a.m. to report his mother was unresponsive.
When officers arrived, they found Caraker in bed with a bungee cord still wrapped around her neck. She was not breathing and could not be revived.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Luke Yager and Ryan Kemper presented evidence during a week-long trial that painted a chilling picture of growing resentment and violence. They told jurors that Howard had become increasingly angry about his mother’s dating life — anger that eventually erupted into lethal rage.
In his closing argument, Yager told jurors that Howard had grown “angrier and angrier and angrier, until he got drunk enough that he couldn’t take it anymore,” ultimately killing his mother by wrapping a cord around her neck and pulling until she stopped breathing.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Yager argued for a 45-year sentence, citing Howard’s history of violent incidents involving other family members. “It is clear that the defendant is a violent individual, and he’s especially violent toward women,” he said.
Despite the prosecution’s request for a longer sentence, Judge Maher sentenced Howard to 30 years. Under Illinois law, he must serve 100 percent of the sentence with no possibility of early release.
“If this individual ever steps foot outside a prison, he’ll be an elderly man,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. “We continue to hold the family and loved ones of Norma in our prayers. They have exhibited true grace and poise throughout these difficult proceedings. Our hope is that this resolution allows them to begin to heal.”
Howard remains in custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Sentenced for Strangling Mother with Bungee Cord Because He Was ‘Unhappy’ About Her Dating
Prosecutors said Howard became enraged over his mother’s relationships, then murdered her in September 2023 after getting drunk.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
Neil Howard (via Madison County IL State's Attorney's Office)
EDWARDSVILLE, IL — An Illinois man has been sentenced for the brutal murder of his mother, whom he strangled with a bungee cord after she returned home from a date.
Neil Howard, 46, was convicted in February of first-degree murder in the death of 60-year-old Norma J. Caraker.
On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Amy Maher handed down a sentence of 30 years in prison, which Howard must serve in its entirety, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced.
He will not be eligible for parole until age 76.
According to prosecutors, the murder occurred in the early hours of September 13, 2023, in the bedroom of Caraker’s home on Lower Marine Road in Troy. Howard, who lived in the basement of the residence, called 911 around 1:30 a.m. to report his mother was unresponsive.
When officers arrived, they found Caraker in bed with a bungee cord still wrapped around her neck. She was not breathing and could not be revived.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Luke Yager and Ryan Kemper presented evidence during a week-long trial that painted a chilling picture of growing resentment and violence. They told jurors that Howard had become increasingly angry about his mother’s dating life — anger that eventually erupted into lethal rage.
In his closing argument, Yager told jurors that Howard had grown “angrier and angrier and angrier, until he got drunk enough that he couldn’t take it anymore,” ultimately killing his mother by wrapping a cord around her neck and pulling until she stopped breathing.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Yager argued for a 45-year sentence, citing Howard’s history of violent incidents involving other family members. “It is clear that the defendant is a violent individual, and he’s especially violent toward women,” he said.
Despite the prosecution’s request for a longer sentence, Judge Maher sentenced Howard to 30 years. Under Illinois law, he must serve 100 percent of the sentence with no possibility of early release.
“If this individual ever steps foot outside a prison, he’ll be an elderly man,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. “We continue to hold the family and loved ones of Norma in our prayers. They have exhibited true grace and poise throughout these difficult proceedings. Our hope is that this resolution allows them to begin to heal.”
Howard remains in custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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