Joyce Austin, Valerie Howard Obituary, Death – A tragic incident in Lenexa, Kansas, has led to a double homicide investigation after two women were found dead inside their home early Wednesday morning. The Lenexa Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence in the 15400 block of West 90th Street around 5 a.m. after receiving information that people inside the home may have been shot.
When officers arrived, they discovered the bodies of two women who had suffered fatal injuries. Authorities later identified the victims as 71-year-old Joyce Austin and 63-year-old Valerie Howard. The two women were former sisters-in-law and had been living together at the residence.
According to police, this was not the first time they had been called to the home. Officers had responded to the address twice earlier in the week for domestic disturbance incidents. However, the situation escalated, ultimately leading to the deadly outcome.
Following the discovery of the victims, police took 34-year-old Luke Howard into custody in connection with the killings. Howard, who is the son of Valerie Howard, now faces two counts of first-degree murder. The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged him, and he remains in custody as the legal process moves forward.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, including any possible motives or events leading up to the tragedy. The community has been shaken by the incident, as neighbors and friends express their sorrow over the deaths of the two women.
