In February 2021, Deputy Miranda Thomas of Kootenai County’s Sheriff’s Office received a distressing call at the residence of Dan Howard, a former state trooper, involving an Idaho woman. Deputy Thomas immediately noticed Dan’s odd behaviour as one of the first responders. He screamed but shed no tears, and his attempts to act distraught appeared unnatural.
Investigating the Scene
Dan Howard told authorities that Kendy had shot herself in the head and that her pistol was submerged in the bathtub. Despite the initial conclusion of suicide, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Detective Jerry Northrup had doubts. He thought it was unusual that someone would take their life in a bathtub, especially without more blood at the scene. Which would typically be expected from a gunshot wound to the head. Moreover, Dan had changed clothes, showered, and applied deodorant shortly before the police arrived, which raised further questions about his actions.
Pieces That Didn’t Fit
The investigators noticed several details that contradicted Dan’s version of events. The laundry dryer was running, full of clean towels, just minutes after he called 911. Suggesting that he had time to start laundry before discovering his wife’s body. Additionally, broken glass was found in the main bedroom, indicating there might have been a struggle.
Dan also appeared uneasy when asked to undergo a gunshot residue test, nervously twisting his hands in his pockets, especially given the context of the Idaho woman tragic situation. Though the test came back negative, the detectives’ suspicions remained.
A Troubled Relationship
Kendy and Dan Howard married for 26 years, but friends and family described increasing tensions. Kendy had confided in her friends that she no longer loved Dan and was planning a divorce. Just days before her death, she met with a divorce lawyer and shared her plans with Dan, who appeared calm at the time. However, friends like Michelle Lampert believed Kendy was in danger.
A Complex Case
Though investigators had doubts about Dan Howard’s account of his wife’s death, they could not immediately rule out suicide. Kendy’s sudden passing left her friends and family in shock. Her daughter, Brooke Wilkins, could not believe that Kendy would take her own life, while a neighbour suspected she may have been depressed.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities continued to probe the inconsistencies in Dan Howard’s story. Piecing together what happened that cold winter morning.
