Danny Johnson

Danny Johnson was born in the United States, although little verified information has been publicly released regarding his childhood, education, or early life.

Before the murder, Johnson lived in the Columbus, Ohio, area and spent time living in homeless encampments near the Scioto River. Court records revealed he had a history of violent behaviour, including previous convictions involving aggravated assault and domestic violence.

Public reporting surrounding Johnson has focused almost entirely on his violent relationship with Cathleen "Kit Kat" Howatt and the events leading to her death.

During the early hours of April 19, 2016, Johnson and his girlfriend, Cathleen "Kit Kat" Howatt, became involved in a violent altercation at a homeless encampment near the Scioto River in Columbus.

Camp residents later testified that they heard repeated slapping sounds and Johnson shouting during the assault. Because the couple frequently argued and fought, some witnesses initially believed the disturbance was another domestic dispute rather than a fatal attack.

Later that morning, Johnson woke another camp resident and falsely claimed that someone had attacked him and murdered Howatt while he was unconscious. After changing his clothes, he fled the encampment before police later located and arrested him.

Investigators determined Johnson acted alone during the assault.

The Franklin County Coroner concluded that Howatt died from strangulation. The post-mortem examination also revealed a traumatic brain injury and a fractured hyoid bone, injuries consistent with a prolonged and violent attack.

Witnesses described a long history of domestic violence committed by Johnson against Howatt, stating she was frequently seen with black eyes, bruises, and other injuries before her death.

Following the discovery of Howatt's body, detectives from the Columbus Division of Police quickly began interviewing witnesses living at the encampment.

Multiple witnesses identified Johnson as the last person seen assaulting Howatt and contradicted his claim that an unknown attacker was responsible.

Later that day, officers located Johnson at his parents' home in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he was arrested without incident and charged in connection with Howatt's murder.

Danny Johnson stood trial in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in June 2017.

Prosecutors presented testimony from camp residents, forensic evidence, and findings from the Franklin County Coroner establishing that Howatt had been fatally strangled following a violent assault.

After a four-day trial, the jury found Johnson guilty of two counts of murder, domestic violence, and tampering with evidence.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years.

The murder of Cathleen "Kit Kat" Howatt highlighted the dangers of prolonged domestic violence and the vulnerability of people experiencing homelessness. Witnesses testified that Johnson had repeatedly assaulted Howatt before ultimately killing her.

The case also demonstrated the importance of witness testimony from members of the homeless community, whose accounts contradicted Johnson's fabricated explanation and helped investigators reconstruct the events leading to Howatt's death.

Danny Johnson remains incarcerated serving his life sentence.