The Case of Kendy Howard

Kendy Howard, 48, was found dead in the bathtub of her Athol, Idaho home on 2 February 2021. Her husband, former Idaho State Police trooper Daniel Howard, initially claimed she had shot herself. A two-year investigation ultimately led to his arrest, and he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.

Kendy Ann Howard was born in Orofino, Idaho, and grew up in the Kamiah and Lewiston areas. She worked in the restaurant industry before later working at Kootenai Health. She was a mother of two and grandmother who was remembered by family and friends for her outgoing personality and love of the outdoors. Kendy had been married to Daniel Howard since 1994. By early 2021, however, their marriage was ending. On 28 January, just five days before her death, Kendy told Daniel that she wanted a divorce. She was also involved in another relationship, circumstances prosecutors later argued contributed to Daniel's motive. On the evening of 2 February 2021, Kendy was at home with Daniel. He later told investigators that they had argued about their finances before she went upstairs to take a bath. At 10:43 p.m., Daniel called 911 and reported that Kendy had shot herself.

Kendy was found naked in the bathtub with a gunshot wound to her mouth. Her handgun was submerged in the bathwater. Investigators quickly noticed several circumstances that did not fit comfortably with a suicide. The bathroom and surrounding area contained wet towels and other unusual evidence, while Kendy's phone and purse were out of reach from the bathtub. A packed duffle bag containing women's clothing was also found in the home. Investigators also noticed that a clothes dryer was running with approximately six minutes remaining. Examination of the appliance indicated the cycle had likely started only shortly before Daniel's 911 call. The original medical examination concluded that Kendy died from the gunshot wound. Later forensic experts challenged that conclusion, pointing to bruising, injuries and the trajectory of the gunshot. Dr. Jennifer Nara testified that Kendy had likely already died before the gunshot was inflicted.

Although the death was initially dispatched as a suicide, investigators quickly became suspicious of Daniel's account. Daniel told police that he had heard a "thud" upstairs but did not investigate for more than an hour. Investigators also questioned why a former state trooper and firearms instructor had failed to recognise the sound as a gunshot. The investigation continued for more than two years. Detectives examined the physical evidence, Daniel's statements, Kendy's injuries and the circumstances surrounding the staged scene. Prosecutors ultimately alleged that Daniel had strangled Kendy using a carotid restraint, placed her body in the bathtub and fired her own gun into her mouth to make the death appear to be suicide. Expert testimony at trial supported the prosecution's theory that Kendy had died from asphyxiation before the gunshot. Daniel Howard was arrested in April 2023 and charged with first-degree murder and domestic battery. He pleaded not guilty and maintained that Kendy had killed herself.

In March 2024, a Kootenai County jury found Daniel Howard guilty of second-degree murder and domestic battery. On 23 May 2024, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murder, together with a 10-year sentence for domestic battery to run concurrently.

Daniel continued to maintain his innocence at sentencing, telling the court that he loved Kendy and was not the person portrayed by prosecutors. Judge Lamont Berecz rejected his claims and described him as a remorseless killer.