Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin die in fatal Lenexa shooting
Fatal Lenexa shooting death of Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin – Obituary
Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the deaths of two women found Wednesday morning in Lenexa, Kansas.
Lenexa police responded to a welfare check at a residence on W. 90th Street after a 911 call raised concerns about a possible shooting. Upon arrival around 5 a.m., officers discovered two women, believed to be related, dead at the scene.
The suspect, 37-year-old Luke Howard, later confessed to the killings of his mother, Valerie Howard, and his aunt, Joyce Austin. According to court documents, Howard turned himself in to police in Liberty, Missouri, after confessing to pharmacists at a local Walgreens. He reportedly told the police that he killed his aunt due to an eviction dispute.
The documents outline a series of confrontations between Howard and the victims in the days leading up to the murders. On Monday, Howard had an altercation with his mother, and his aunt had also reported threats. Howard had been issued a 30-day eviction notice by Austin, which likely contributed to the tragic events.
Howard is facing two charges of first-degree murder and is currently being held on a $5 million bond.
