PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A woman who was reported missing over the weekend was found dead inside her Northeast Philadelphia home on Sunday. Her body had been wrapped up and placed in the garage.
The victim’s daughters were going around the neighborhood on Saturday asking people when they saw their mother last, if they knew anything. Police then made the gruesome discovery yesterday.
Police say Ivelisse Lugo was reported missing on Saturday, last seen around 8 a.m. at her home on Elsinore Street near Van Kirk Street. Initially, police were saying that Lugo, in her early fifties, may have been with her estranged husband.
Police continued their investigation and returned to her house on Sunday around 4:30 p.m. That’s when they say they found Lugo’s body in the garage. Her body had stab wounds and was wrapped in a towel and blanket.
A neighbor told KYW newsgathering partner NBC 10 that the news hits hard because they would see and talk to each other all the time.
“It kinda hits different. It almost hit like a family member. We’ve all been around here for so long and knew each other for so long.”
Police didn’t give an update on the estranged husband, if they were actively looking for him. Member of Lugo’s family say they haven’t been able to reach him.
As with every homicide investigation, there is a standard $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information about Lugo’s death is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department via phone or text at 215-686-TIPS, or online.