Kendy Howard was discovered deceased in her bathtub under circumstances initially suspected to be suicide. However, upon closer inspection of the scene, authorities in Kootenai County grew suspicious. Here is an overview of the case:
A 26-year marriage:
Dan and Kendy Howard had been married since 1994. In 2021, Dan transitioned from being an Idaho State Trooper to working in the Alaskan oil fields for extended periods.
Kendy seeks divorce:
Just five days before her death on January 28, 2021, Kendy informed Dan of her desire for a divorce. She relayed to a friend that Dan’s reaction was troubling.
Dan Howard’s 911 call:
On the night of February 2, 2021, at 10:43 p.m., Dan contacted 911 frantically reporting Kendy had shot herself in the bathtub.
Dan Howard at the scene:
When law enforcement arrived at the Howards’ residence, Dan was visibly distraught and emotional.
Kendy Howard found in the bathtub:
Kendy was discovered lifeless in the bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. Her firearm was submerged in the bathwater.
A packed duffle bag:
A duffle bag containing women’s clothing was noticed at the base of the stairs, prompting questions about potential plans to leave.
A clue on the dryer:
Responders observed a running dryer filled with recently washed bath towels and mats, raising suspicions about the timeline of events.
How did Kendy Howard really die?:
Investigators noted the absence of expected blood in the bathtub, suggesting Kendy might not have been alive when the fatal shot was fired.
Kendy’s daughter accuses Dan Howard:
Brooke Wilkins, Kendy’s daughter, accused Dan of her mother’s death. However, insufficient evidence at the scene hindered immediate arrest.
Dan Howard arrested:
After a two-year investigation, Dan Howard was arrested in April 2023 on charges of murder and prior domestic battery.
Dan Howard on trial:
Dan Howard’s murder trial commenced on March 4, 2024, with the prosecution alleging his involvement in Kendy’s death.
Dan Howard was found guilty of second-degree murder and domestic battery after a jury deliberated for over eight hours, following 10 days of testimony and 62 witnesses. Howard had used a carotid restraint hold, a technique from his law enforcement training, on Kendy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Despite the defense’s claim of suicide, the jury reached a verdict on March 19, 2024. At his sentencing hearing in May 2024, Howard pled for leniency but was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by Judge Lamont Berecz. Berecz condemned Howard for his actions, stating, “You killed a mother, a grandmother, a sister, snuffing out their lives due to your pride, greed, and anger.” Meanwhile, a daughter reflected on a poignant photo capturing her reunion with her father, a Vietnam prisoner of war. Additionally, a Kentucky distillery defied historic flooding to reopen for “Derby Week,” while a controversial AI photo of Trump as a pope sparked worldwide outrage.
