Chicago female murder victims on the rise

By Tracy Swartz
RedEye

The seven female homicide victims killed in the last week and a half represent 14 percent of all female homicide victims this year, according to a RedEye analysis of preliminary police data.

On Sunday, a 16-year-old woman died from assault wounds while a 24-year-old woman was shot to death in Austin.

Last week, a 3-month-old Avalon Park girl died after child abuse; and a 32-year-old woman was beaten to death in Englewood. A 47-year-old woman was stabbed to death in Pullman; and a 46-year-old woman was shot to death in West Englewood. In Hermosa, a 22-year-old woman was found shot to death, according to information from the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Citywide, October ended with 37 homicides, including a fatal car crash that killed two people in West Englewood. The driver in that crash initially was charged with reckless homicide. Chicago police recorded 46 murders in October last year.

So far in November, seven homicides have been recorded. Police logged 38 in November 2008.

Check out the murders in your neighborhood with the Chicago murder map.