MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – A Troy, Illinois, man accused of strangling his mother to death with a bungee cord has now been convicted of her murder.

On Monday, a jury found Neil Howard, 46, guilty in the death of his mother, Norma J. Caraker, 60, from September 2023.

Investigators say Caraker was found in a bedroom of her home on Sept. 12, 2023, with a bungee cord secured around her neck. She was later pronounced dead from her injuries. Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Luke Yager said Howard tightened a cord around her neck and pulled it until she stopped breathing.

During trial, evidence and testimony indicated that Howard was upset about his mother’s dating life. It was revealed that she was killed shortly after she had a date.

Yager, in his closing argument, said that Howard’s mother’s dating was making him “angrier and angrier and angrier, until he got drunk enough that he couldn’t take it anymore.”

Investigators say Howard resided in the basement of Caraker’s home before her death.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine credited law enforcement for building a strong case.

“The careful and meticulous work of the responding officers and investigators allowed our prosecution team to show the jury exactly what happened in the critical timeframe around Norma Caraker’s senseless death. This was a challenging case that relied heavily on scientific and technological evidence,” said Haine. “We continue to hold the family and loved ones of Norma in our prayers.”

Howard was convicted of a first-degree murder charge and faces up to 60 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and Howard will remain behind bars in Madison County while awaiting a sentncing hearing.