Woman, 31, fatally stabbed in Loop attack, suspect sought

The woman was walking about 4 p.m. in the 400 block of South Wacker Drive when she was attacked by a male with a knife, Chicago police said.

A 31-year-old woman died after being attacked by a person with a knife Saturday afternoon in the Loop.

The woman was walking about 4 p.m. in the 400 block of South Wacker Drive when she was attacked by a male who stabbed her in her upper back, according to Chicago police.

She was was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said.

Her attacker fled south and had not been taken into custody.

Supt. David Brown said investigators were tracking down several leads and reviewing police POD camera footage that may have recorded the suspect.

Brown said at least one witness was cooperating with investigators and said the surveillance video, although grainy, will give police a route to pursue the suspect.

“We are utilizing all of the resources that we have,” Brown told reporters during a press conference near the crime scene.

Brown said the woman’s attacker was believed to be a homeless person and noted a nearby encampment below the Interstate 290 overpass that is in the block. Brown said the suspect may have hidden himself in high vegetation and surprised the woman, but noted that he was only speculating.

“As you can see this area is pretty secluded, going down this ramp is not a well-traveled area, it’s adjacent to a homeless encampment,” Brown said.

Police taped off an area on Van Buren Street where Upper and Lower Wacker drives meet. Detectives could be seen canvassing an adjacent park as well as a parking lot looking for evidence.

The attack happened about a block from Willis Tower, a popular tourist attraction, and in an area that is also close to the Old Chicago Main Post Office and Union Station.

During the week, Brown said, the area is busier, but said the area where the attack happened and where the suspect fled was not well traveled.

“The larger tourism and foot traffic is away from this area, Brown said.

Brown said he could provide details about the victim, saying police were working to notify her family and determine what she was doing in the area.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not released her identity.

“Crime is down downtown,” Brown said when asked what he would say to people to work in and visit the Loop. “Overall crime is down downtown. But one crime is too many. And we take every one of those crimes ... very seriously.”

This is a developing story. Check back for details.