A 44-year-old Crystal Lake man has been charged in connection with the murder of a Hanover Park woman last week, DuPage County authorities announced Tuesday.
Ronald O’Rourke killed 51-year-old Pamela Howat Saturday morning after being caught during a break-in, authorities said.
Howat was found dead from stab wounds and other head and neck injuries at about 6 p.m. Saturday at her home near County Farm Road and Lawrence Avenue.
Hanover Park police officers were dispatched to Howat’s home after an acquaintance discovered her body on the floor.
Howat found O’Rourke in her home after returning from running errands, authorities said. A physical confrontation ensued between the two, resulting Howat’s death.
The investigation led officers from the Hanover Park Police Department and members of the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force to O’Rourke, who was taken into custody Sunday afternoon without incident.
O’Rourke was charged with first-degree murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 60 years prison. He appeared in bond court Tuesday morning, where Judge Kathryn Creswell ordered he be held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for July 13.
Howat’s murder was one of three in as many days in Hanover Park.
Jahaziel Duron, 16, of the 1600 block of Poplar Avenue was charged with killing 23-year-old Diontae Roberts at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday during a fight at a party on the 8000 block of Catawba Lane. His bail was set at $900,000 Monday during a bond hearing in Cook County Circuit Court in Rolling Meadows.
Rafael Alvarado, 32, was charged with killing his girlfriend, 31-year-old Norma Favela, and their unborn child Thursday at her home in Hanover Park. His bail has been set at $10 million.
