Blood-Soaked Kansas Man Flees State—Confesses: ‘I KILLED My Mom and Aunt!’
A Kansas man allegedly gunned down his mother and aunt—then fled across state lines and casually confessed to the murders inside a Missouri pharmacy. 🌐 #News #LenexaKS #Kansas #Crime
LENEXA, KS – A Kansas man allegedly gunned down his own mother and aunt after being evicted—then fled across state lines and walked into a Missouri pharmacy, covered in blood, to confess, police say. The gruesome double murder sent shockwaves through the quiet community, unraveling a disturbing history of conflict inside the victims’ home.
Eviction Leads to Deadly Revenge
Luke Anthony Howard, 34, is accused of gunning down his own mother, Valerie Howard, 63, and his aunt, Joyce Austin, 71, after being told to move out of their home in Lenexa, Kansas. Authorities say Austin had issued an eviction notice, triggering a violent reaction that ended in bloodshed.
Following the attack, Howard fled across state lines to Liberty, Missouri—about 30 miles away—where he entered a pharmacy, reportedly wearing clothes stained with blood.
Staff were alarmed as he allegedly announced that he needed to turn himself in. When police arrived, he admitted to the killings, according to court documents.
Chilling Crime Scene Uncovered
Back in Lenexa, officers responded to the victims’ home, where they found both women shot to death.
Investigators discovered nearly a dozen shell casings in a single room, suggesting a rapid and merciless execution. The gruesome scene left no doubt about the violent nature of the crime.
As police pieced together the events, a disturbing history of conflict emerged.
Just two days before the murders, officers had been called to the home when Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin reportedly locked themselves in their rooms out of fear.
Austin had told authorities that Howard, who had a history of violent behavior, was acting erratically and threatening her. She also informed police that he had bipolar disorder and she wanted him out of the house.
Mental Health Concerns and Final Warning
Tensions escalated further when Howard himself called police the following day, claiming that Austin had threatened him with a gun. However, he quickly changed his story. During that visit, Johnson County Mental Health officials questioned Howard about firearms, but he denied owning any, and a search of the home found no weapons.
Despite the warnings and escalating tensions, the next day turned deadly. Authorities believe Howard retrieved a firearm and carried out the cold-blooded killings before fleeing to Missouri.
Awaiting Justice
Howard remains behind bars in Clay County, Missouri, with a $5 million bond. He is awaiting extradition to Johnson County, Kansas, where he will face charges for the double homicide.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, shedding light on the tragic consequences of this long-simmering family dispute that ended in bloodshed.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Kansas | Missouri
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