The Mysterious Death of Kendy Howard: An Idaho Tragedy.
OVERVIEW: The tragic death of Kendy Howard, found in her bathtub with a gunshot wound, has left the small community of Athol, Idaho, in shock. As investigators delve deeper, questions arise about the involvement of her husband, a former state trooper, and whether the scene was staged to look like a suicide.
On a cold winter’s morning in February 2021, the quiet town of Athol, Idaho, was shaken by the tragic news of Kendy Howard’s death. The 48-year-old wife and mother was found lifeless in her bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. What initially appeared to be a suicide soon turned into a complex investigation, raising suspicions about her husband, Dan Howard, a former Idaho state trooper.
Kendy Howard’s body was discovered by her husband, Dan, who immediately called 911. When first responders arrived, they found Dan in a state of apparent distress. However, something about his behavior seemed off to Kootenai County Sheriff’s Deputy Miranda Thomas. Despite his loud cries and apparent gagging, there were no tears in his eyes.
Dan claimed that he found Kendy in the bathtub with her own pistol submerged in the murky water. He suggested that she had taken her own life. However, the scene raised several red flags for the investigators. For a woman to shoot herself in the bathtub, nude, was unusual, and the lack of blood spatter was inconsistent with a gunshot wound to the head.
Detective Jerry Northrup, a crime scene expert, was among the first to arrive at the scene. He immediately noticed several inconsistencies. The absence of a suicide note, the lack of blood, and the unusual circumstances of Kendy’s death all pointed to something more sinister. Additionally, a packed duffle bag and a running dryer full of clean bath towels and mats added to the suspicion.
The Mysterious Death of Kendy Howard: An Idaho Tragedy
Dan Howard’s behavior also raised eyebrows. Despite the shock of finding his wife dead, he appeared to have recently showered, changed his clothes, and applied fresh deodorant. These actions seemed out of place for someone who had just discovered their spouse’s body.
As the investigation progressed, more details emerged that cast doubt on Dan Howard’s account of events. The timing of the 911 call and the running dryer suggested that Dan might have been trying to clean up the scene before calling for help. Furthermore, as a former state trooper, Dan had the knowledge and skills to potentially stage the scene to look like a suicide.
Three years after Kendy’s death, Dan Howard was charged with her murder. The case garnered national attention and was featured on CBS’s “48 Hours,” which delved into the details of the investigation and the evidence against Dan.
The death of Kendy Howard has had a profound impact on the small community of Athol. Friends and neighbors described her as a loving wife and mother who was deeply involved in her community. The shock of her death and the subsequent investigation into her husband’s involvement have left many in disbelief.
Kendy’s family and friends have struggled to come to terms with the loss and the possibility that someone they trusted could be responsible. The case has also highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating crimes involving one of their own.
As the legal proceedings continue, the prosecution is building a case against Dan Howard, focusing on the inconsistencies in his story and the forensic evidence that suggests the scene was staged. The defense, on the other hand, is likely to argue that Kendy’s death was indeed a tragic suicide and that the evidence has been misinterpreted.
The trial is expected to be closely watched, not only by the local community but also by those following the case nationwide. The outcome will have significant implications for the Howard family and the broader community.
