The Arrest of Ex-Idaho Trooper for His Wife's Tragic Ending

The tragic discovery of Kendy Howard lifeless in her bathtub initially seemed like a suicide. However, elements at the scene quickly raised doubts among Kootenai County investigators.

Marital Journey of Over Two Decades

Since tying the knot in 1994, Dan and Kendy Howard maintained their marriage for 26 years. By 2021, Dan had left his role as an Idaho State Trooper and started working in the Alaskan oil industry, often being away for extensive periods.

Kendy's Intention to Separate

Merely five days before her untimely demise, on January 28, 2021, Kendy informed Dan of her decision to seek a divorce as she picked him up from the airport. A friend later recounted that Dan's response was far from positive.

Emergency Call: A Night of Distress

On February 2, 2021, at 10:43 p.m., an agitated Dan Howard dialed 911, claiming Kendy had ended her life with a firearm. "She's in the bathtub, lifeless…" he exclaimed. Authorities approached the incident as a suicide.

Arriving on the scene, Deputy Miranda Thomas of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office described the chaotic atmosphere with Dan in visible distress.

Discovery at the Scene

The victim, Kendy Howard, was discovered naked in the bathtub with a gunshot wound on her head. Her firearm was submerged in the water, prompting initial assumptions.

Mysterious Packing

A noteworthy detail spotted by Deputy Thomas was a packed duffle bag that appeared to be filled with women's clothes, prompting questions about potential plans to leave.

Evidence Raising Doubts

Detective Jerry Northrup found bathmats and towels warm and inside a dryer, leading to suspicion about the timing of events that night.

Revisiting the Gun Theory

The presence of Kendy's gun underwater in the bathtub did not align with expectations if she had been alive at the time of the shooting, as investigators expected more blood evidence.

Daughter's Allegations

Brooke Wilkins, Kendy's daughter, accused Dan Howard of causing her mother's death during a call, a suspicion echoed by investigators who nevertheless faced a lack of concrete evidence to charge Dan at the time.

Building the Case

It took the legal team two years to gather enough evidence. In July 2023, they were confident enough to arrest Dan Howard for the murder of his wife, Kendy.

Legal Proceedings Begin

The trial commenced on March 4, 2024, where the prosecution argued that Dan killed Kendy using a restraint technique he learned during his police training. The defense stood by their narrative of suicide. A comprehensive process involving 62 witnesses and over eight hours of jury deliberation followed.

Verdict Reached

On March 19, 2024, Dan Howard was found guilty by the jury of second-degree murder and domestic battery.

Sentenced to Life

During the sentencing in May 2024, Judge Lamont Berecz delivered a stern statement highlighting the gravity of Dan Howard's actions, resulting in a life sentence without parole, marking a tragic end for multiple lives intertwined by this event.