Tales from the Morgue

Nov. 10, 2006: Body found ID'd as EP mother of 3

By Tammy Fonce-Olivas
El Paso Times

The woman whose body was found Monday in a desert area in New Mexico a few miles from El Paso's North Hills neighborhood has been identified as a mother of three who was described as a happy and outgoing person, officials and a family member said.

Emely Howard, 31, of El Paso, who was identified after her fingerprints were sent to the FBI, was beaten severely about the head and died from blunt- force trauma, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office investigator Robyn Gojkovich said.

Officials would not reveal what kind of weapon was used in her death, which has been ruled a homicide.

Investigators suspect an El Paso man identified as Eduardo Duran Estrada, 31, in her slaying.

Estrada was last seen in El Paso on Monday driving a dark- green 2000 Mazda Protege, a four-door car with Texas license plates 868MMR.

Investigators have not determined whether Howard and Estrada knew each other, Gojkovich said.

Howard was last seen on Sunday on Dyer Street. Authorities found her body after Estrada's roommate called El Paso police Monday to tell them he had overheard a conversation indicating a woman had been killed and her body dumped in the New Mexico desert.

He also told police where to find the body.

After his call, El Paso police notified the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office about the tip. Investigators from El Paso and the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office met in a desert area near War Road in New Mexico. The site was less than a mile from the state line, where Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard turns into War Road.

Howard's battered body was found about 50 yards from War Road near junked cars and a no-trespassing sign. Doña Ana county investigators took over the investigation because the body was found in New Mexico.

Gojkovich said the tipster also told police he overheard that a second body had been left in the desert area near Hondo Pass Drive in Northeast El Paso. Police searched the area but found nothing.

Howard was married and had three children. She and her husband, Kenneth Howard, separated about four years ago but never divorced. Kenneth Howard and their children live with him in Houston.

Kenneth Howard said Emely Howard was born in Juárez and grew up in El Paso. She attended Montwood High School. They married in 1999.

"She was happy and outgoing. And she liked to party," Howard said. "She always wanted to get out and do something."

He said their marriage was strained for several reasons, including what he called her habit of frequenting nightclubs.

After they separated, Emely Howard stayed in El Paso. She lived in the Northeast, Kenneth Howard said.

He said they had spoken on the telephone in recent weeks. He said he learned from his brother that she had been killed.

"That really shocked me. I didn't believe it," he said.

His children are also struggling to cope with the loss of their mother. Kenneth Howard said he doesn't know whether Emely Howard knew the man authorities have linked to her slaying.

More articles:

Nov. 11, 2006: Father says stranger killed his daughter

Dec. 6, 2006: Jury indicts fugitive in slaying of El Paso woman

Nov. 20, 2010: Man sought in woman's '06 death

Around Town: August 30, 1895

Fourteen pounds potatoes, .25. Star Grocery Co., 219 San Antonio street.

Frank Carr has deeded to Mary L. Westlake lots 11 and 12, block 253, Campbell addition. Consideration $600.

Gustave Lemaire has sold to Sophia Mitzenberger parts of lots 4 and 5 in block 120, Campbell’s addition, for $500.

Several very fine samples of coal from Collector Bauche’s coal field near Juarez, were left at the TIMES office yesterday.

The public school teachers held a meeting at the Central school building yesterday morning to discuss the curriculum for the coming year.

Weather permitting, the McGinty band concert will attract a large crowd to the club garden this evening. The concert commences at 8 o’clock.

O.T. Bassett filed suit in the district court yesterday against F.N. Holbrook, principal, and Sam Schultz and S.W. Bolton sureties, on injunction bond.

While saluting a lady friend on San Antonio street yesterday, Mr. Newt, of the City Meat market, fell off of his bicycle got so badly mixed up with his wheel that friends had to extricate him.

The attorney general says Sheriff Cabel would be justified in shooting into the crowd if it was necessary to prevent the Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight from taking place in Dallas. It looks more and more like Juarez.

Yesterday morning after 2 o’clock a sneak thief badly frightened Mrs. Chas. Allen by entering her bed chamber and standing over her bed. She screamed aloud for help and neighbors went to her rescue but failed to catch the intruder.

A rapid talker can utter about two hundred words a minute. At ordinary speed one can speak at least 500 words in five minutes at the telephone. That costs 35 cents. To telegraph this same message to El Paso would cost more than $5- Las Cruces Democrat

Helen B. M’rose vs. J.L. Whitmore is the style of a suit filed in the district court yesterday. Mrs. M’rose sues for the possession of the manuscript of Hardin’s biography, and for one gold watch, a pistol and two rings, the value of which she alleges is ten thousand dollars.

The McGinty carnival committee is not allowing any grass to grow under its feet. The committee held a meeting yesterday afternoon and elected A. Solomon chairman and J.E. Townsend secretary. At three o’clock this afternoon the committee will meet and name its sub-committees.

A very enjoyable social was given by the Christian Endeavor Society, of the Christian church, at the residence of F.S. Young last evening. Forty or more were present and, after a few songs, the time was spent in partaking of ice cream and cake and playing games. The occasion will be long remembered as one of the most successful of its kind. Much credit is due and the thanks of the society is extended to Mr. And Mrs. Young for their help and generous hospitality, which contributed in a large measure to make it a success.