Dan Howard, a former Idaho State Trooper, was recently arrested and found guilty of the second-degree murder and domestic battery of his wife, Kendy Howard. The case began when Kendy was found dead in her bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. While initially dispatched as a suicide, clues at the scene made authorities suspicious.
The couple had been married for 26 years, with Kendy seeking a divorce just five days before her death. Dan Howard’s reaction to the news of the divorce was described as “not good” by a friend of Kendy. On the night of February 2, 2021, Dan called 911 claiming Kendy had shot herself in the bathtub.
When first responders arrived, Dan was screaming and crying at the scene. Kendy was found naked in the bathtub with her gun submerged in the bathwater. A packed duffle bag filled with women’s clothing was found at the bottom of the stairs, raising questions about someone potentially planning to leave the house. Additionally, the clothes dryer was running with clean bath towels and mats inside, leading investigators to question the timeline of events.
Despite initial suspicions and accusations from Kendy’s daughter, Brooke Wilkins, there was not enough evidence to arrest Dan at the scene. However, it took two years for prosecutors to build their case, leading to Dan’s arrest in July 2023 for Kendy’s murder and domestic battery.
During the trial, the prosecution claimed that Dan had killed Kendy using a carotid restraint hold he had learned in his law enforcement training. The defense argued that Kendy’s death was a suicide. After 10 days of testimony and 62 witnesses, the jury found Dan guilty of second-degree murder and domestic battery on March 19, 2024.
At his sentencing hearing in May 2024, Dan Howard made a plea for leniency but was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge condemned his actions, stating, “You killed a mother. You killed a grandmother. You killed a sister … You snuffed that out because of your own pride, greed, and anger.”
The case of Dan Howard serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice is served. The verdict brought closure to Kendy’s family and friends, who can now find solace in knowing that her killer has been brought to justice.
