Duluth man sentenced for strangling girlfriend

Dale John Howard, age 25, of Duluth was sentenced, on Monday, to 20 years in prison for killing his girlfriend. On September 17, Howard took a plea deal to charges of Second Degree Murder while committing Domestic Assault by Strangulation.

The victim Alissa Marie Vollan died in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood in the early morning hours of March 22, 2024.

Original story: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/woman-body-found-duluth-man-in-custody/

Vollan had a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order against Howard, which is why he was sentenced above the presumptive Minnesota sentencing guideline. Otherwise, these charges would carry 12.5 years in prison.

The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office thanks the Duluth Police Department for their investigation and assistance in the matter.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, it’s important to seek help. There are resources available, such as domestic violence hotlines, shelters, and counseling services that can offer support and protection. Ending the cycle of abuse often requires both emotional support and professional intervention.

For help please contact:

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project: theduluthmodel.org; 218-722-2781

American Indian Community Housing Organization: aicho.org; 218-722-2247

Safe Haven: safehavenshelter.org; 218-728-6481

Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault: pavsa.org; 218-726-1931

Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse: casda.org; 715-392-3136

Advocates For Family Peace: www.affp.org; 218-248-5512

Sexual Assault Program of Northern St. Louis County: stopsexualviolence.org; 218-749-7227