Tragedy has struck in the Northeast Philadelphia community as a previously reported missing woman was found dead inside her home. On Saturday, police responded to a call from the 5900 block of Elsinore Street. Ivelisse Lugo, 53, had been reported missing earlier that day. Her body was discovered the following evening, wrapped in a blanket and a towel in the family's garage, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Initial police statements noted that Lugo was last seen Saturday morning, and there were suspicions that she might have been with her estranged husband, the owner of a 2006 Chevy Express van. Officials have yet to make any arrests or recover a weapon in connection with Lugo’s death. Despite the allegations, her estranged husband's whereabouts remain unknown, and her family members have been unable to reach him, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.
One neighbor, reflecting on the nature of the crime, told NBC Philadelphia, "I am appalled and it kind of hits different. Like a family member because we’ve all been around here for so long." In addition, surveillance footage from the area is being examined for clues as to the whereabouts of the suspect after the incident occurred.
Further adding to a community's concern, the daughters of Ivelisse Lugo were actively seeking information about their mother's disappearance by inquiring with neighbors before her body was discovered, according to Action News. The Philadelphia Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 and is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, as detailed by CBS News Philadelphia.
