Going West: True Crime

Episode 583: Kendy Howard: The Bathtub Murder
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Release Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this chilling episode, Daphne and Heath explore the suspicious 2021 death of Kendy Howard, an Idaho woman whose apparent bathtub suicide raised red flags for investigators and her loved ones. As they unravel the story, deep marital tensions, a history of violence, and the disturbing actions of her husband, former state trooper Dan Howard, come to light—culminating in a conviction that would finally bring some measure of justice to Kendy’s family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kendy's Early Life and Family Background (03:43–07:48)

• Kendy Ann Wilkins was born in 1972 in Orofino, Idaho; raised alongside her brother Brian, she was described as "funny, bubbly, and full of life."
• Her childhood hobbies included dance, motorcycle racing, and competitive horse riding.
• After high school and becoming a mother, Kendy married Marine Dan Howard, who later became a state trooper in Idaho.
• The family settled in Athol, where Kendy worked in hospital administration and volunteered as a 4H troop leader.

2. Marital Strife and the Incident on Dan’s Record

[08:26–13:14]

• In 2011, Dan shot and killed a woman, Christy Ann Little, during a traffic stop gone wrong while on duty. Though ruled a "justified shooting," the incident deeply impacted both Dan and Kendy.
• Dan was suspended, then let go from the force, and later began working in Alaska—leaving Kendy alone for weeks at a time.
• The couple’s marriage unraveled, with Kendy expressing a desire for divorce and relishing the time Dan was away.
• Quote (Daphne, 14:43):
  “She had all this time to say, hey, you know, this is—I think I prefer this.”

3. Leading Up to Kendy’s Death

[15:17–18:52]

• In early 2021, during one of Dan’s returns, Kendy told him she wanted a divorce and was in the process of buying a house for herself.
• Dan became suspicious she was seeing someone else; her brother Brian confirmed Kendy was having an affair.
• Kendy was last seen alive on February 2, 2021, after picking up dinner and going home.

4. The Crime Scene & Initial Investigation

[18:52–29:54]

• Dan called 911 at 10:43 pm, sobbing, to say Kendy had shot herself.

• Suspicious details:

  • Kendy was found naked in a bathtub, a handgun underwater, her belongings nearby, and the house showed signs of recent cleaning.
  • Her packed duffel bag and running dryer suggested she was preparing to leave and someone was cleaning up evidence.
  • Dan's reaction at the scene appeared performative rather than genuine.
    • Tease (28:13): “Oh, yeah, those were crocodile tears.”
  • He resisted gunshot residue testing and may have wiped his hands.

• Quote (Daphne, 18:33):
  “Let us note how different a noise is from a freaking gunshot.”

• Testing revealed Kendy’s and another (unknown) male’s DNA on the gun, but not Dan’s.

5. Kendy’s Loved Ones Express Doubt

[30:28–34:34]

• Her daughter Brooke and brother Brian were immediately suspicious of Dan; neither believed Kendy would take her own life.
• Dan quickly began discarding Kendy’s possessions, including items she wanted to leave to her granddaughter, and barred Brooke from the property.
  • Daphne, 33:14:
    “On April 30, 2021, what would have been Kendi's 49th birthday, Dan held a yard sale… getting rid of as many of her things as he could.”

6. The Darker Side of Dan Howard

[34:34–42:21]

• In the days before her death, Kendy told her parents she was afraid of Dan after waking up to him standing over her dressed in black, holding a pillow (implying intent to harm her).
• Friends and family described Dan’s longstanding volatile, controlling, and violent behavior—firing his gun during fights, threatening Kendy’s lover (a neighbor named Matthew), and engaging in bizarre, vengeful acts (e.g., sabotaging Matthew’s belongings).
• Dan’s harassment and threats led to his suspension and eventual firing from the police, followed by four months in jail.

7. Motive and Financial Tensions

[42:21–45:44]

• Dan and Kendy had significant assets (over $2 million in property), but Dan was controlling about finances.
• Kendy documented evidence of Dan’s violence, sending photos of bruises to friends.
• A second autopsy revealed key facts:
  • Kendy’s jaw was broken, body bruised, she had a burn on her forearm, and autopsy showed she was dead before being placed in the tub and shot.
  • Blood evidence and wound trajectories indicated staging after her death.
  • Daphne, 45:44:
    “Why the first medical examiner had ignored all these indications of foul play was a mystery and is still a mystery.”

Turning Point: Arrest, Trial, and Conviction

[47:42–53:15]

• April 2023: Dan was arrested, charged with Kendy’s murder and a prior domestic battery.
• He attempted to flee during the trial but was caught due to his ankle monitor.
  • Tease, 48:56:
    “So you're not getting away, Dan.”
• Dan's defense cited another man's DNA on the gun and argued for suicide; prosecution brought in a strangulation expert who explained how Dan could have used a carotid restraint without leaving marks.
  • Dr. Bill Smock (Paraphrased, 49:57):
    “It takes only 11 pounds of pressure to block blood flow to the brain—enough for strangulation, possibly without leaving marks.”
• The jury found Dan guilty, swayed by the overwhelming circumstantial and physical evidence.

Sentencing & Aftermath

[53:15–54:32]

• Dan Howard was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 10 years for domestic battery.

• He maintained his innocence at sentencing:

  • Dan Howard, 52:38:
    “I love my wife and I miss her, and I'm not that monster I assure you… Your honor is about to sentence an innocent man to prison.”

• The judge, Lamont Baritz, responded:

  • Judge Baritz, 53:02:
    “It’s clear to me that you are a remorseless killer… You snuffed [Kendy’s life] out because of your own pride and greed.”

• Victim Impact Statement – Kendy's daughter Brooke:

  • “You'll never understand the damage you have caused… You are not the victim… She won’t see me get married. She won’t see my daughter grow up. She didn’t see me finally get it together.” (~53:08)

Notable Quotes

• Daphne, 29:30:
  “Which is obviously bullshit because we know that she was trying to buy a fucking house.”
• Tease, 35:15:
  “I mean, that's absolutely horrifying.” (On Dan standing over Kendy in the dark)
• Tease, 53:24:
  “Thankfully, that monster Dan is exactly where he needs to be—in prison.”

The Hosts’ Tone & Notable Moments

• Candid, often irreverent, and deeply empathetic toward Kendy and her family.
• Strong condemnation of Dan’s actions; explicit criticism of law enforcement for repeatedly failing to stop his escalating violence.
  • Daphne, 53:24:
    “It just really disturbs me that somebody like that can be a state trooper… and you’re just allowed to be a cop, is crazy.”
• Both express disbelief at the repeated institutional failures and the pattern of abuse escalating to murder.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:43 – Kendy's background and early life
• 08:26 – Dan’s deadly shooting as a trooper
• 13:14 – Growing marital strife and signs of abuse
• 18:52 – Discovery of Kendy’s body and crime scene analysis
• 27:10 – Signs of staging and Dan’s suspicious behavior at the scene
• 30:28 – Family and community reaction
• 34:34 – Unveiling Dan’s prior violence and escalation
• 42:21 – Motive, financial, and forensic evidence
• 45:44 – Second autopsy findings
• 47:42 – Arrest, attempted flight, and trial strategies
• 52:38 – Sentencing, statements from Dan, the judge, and Brooke

Conclusion

This episode paints a detailed portrait of Kendy Howard’s tragic end and the harrowing impact of domestic violence—set against a backdrop of small-town life and police culture. Through methodical storytelling, Daphne and Heath underscore not only the importance of listening to victims and their families but also the failures that occur when red flags are overlooked.

Final Message:
For listeners seeking justice-driven true crime and a no-nonsense dive into red-flag relationships, this episode powerfully illustrates why vigilance and thorough investigations matter, especially when the perpetrator might have the law on their side—until they don’t.