What happened to Kendy Howard? Details explored ahead of 48 Hours on CBS

Kendy Howard was found dead in her bathtub on a cold February night in 2021. It had initially been theorized to be a case of suicide through a gunshot wound to her head. However, as investigators went further, inconsistencies in the evidence came to light, exposing a different angle of the case.

Details of the incident will form the basis for discussion in the latest episode of 48 Hours on CBS, titled The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard. It will aim at shedding the most hazy and mysterious aspects surrounding Kendy's death.

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The discovery of Kendy Howard

On the evening of February 2, 2021, Kendy Howard was found dead in her home in Athol, Idaho. Her husband, Dan Howard, formerly a state trooper, called the police and reported that she had shot herself. When first responders entered the house, they found Kendy's body floating in the bathtub with a gunshot wound to the head. In the water next to her was a pistol.

It was assumed at first that it was a suicide. This discovery was a huge shock to this small community in Athol. Kendy was described as an extremely loving and caring person to her friends and family, thus rendering it almost impossible for friends and family to accept that she would eventually end up killing herself.

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Investigative finding

There were several inconsistencies as they examined the crime scene. As Detective Jerry Northrup saw the place, he said that the blood was inconsistent with the self-inflicted gunshot wound. In addition, the place gave signs that it might have been staged. Some of the inconsistencies in the place were a packed duffle bag, a running dryer full of clean towels, and Dan Howard's showered appearance.

Additional research concluded that Kendy Howard had planned to leave Dan. The friends testified that she had informed them of her decision to leave him and start a life alone. This introduced another motive in case of foul play. The autopsy procedure also indicated that Kendy had been strangled before she was shot. This closed the first consideration that it must have been a suicide case.

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Dan Howard's role in the murder

However, the behavior and background of Dan Howard a former state trooper gave more dimensions to the case. It was odd that Dan did not cry. He seemed composed on this day when he asked everyone to see him and talk. His knowledge of crime scenes and procedures led detectives to suspect that the body could have been staged to look like a suicide.

Colleagues of Dan described him as a meticulous and disciplined officer, these traits could have helped him stage the scene. The relationship between Dan and Kendy was also prosecuted. Neighbors and friends claimed that they would hear frequent arguments, and it was quite strained. It was these combined factors that made Dan the prime suspect behind the death of Kendy Howard.

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Legal proceedings

Three years after Kendy's death, Dan Howard was charged with murder. The prosecution presented that Dan strangled Kendy and took a shot at her, trying to make it look like a suicide. Suspicions about Dan Howard and contradictions on the spot built a case against him.

The defense argued that the case was circumstantial, along with the fact that Dan had no reason whatsoever to murder Kendy Howard. They pointed out an absence of direct evidence linking Dan to this crime. Still, the prosecution would remain to this point a strong case mainly stating inconsistencies and motives for murder.

Dan Howard was convicted of the second-degree murder of Kendy and is currently serving life in prison without a possibility of parole.

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The case drew much media attention as everyone was keenly following the court sessions. The latest episode of 48 Hours brings out the full study of the investigation process and litigation that ensued. It gives the full view of the evidence and a quest for justice in Kendy Howard's case. The episode was aired on September 28, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET.