Lenexa man pleads guilty in 2025 slayings of mother and aunt
A Lenexa man pleaded guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting his mother and aunt in February 2025, according to a release from the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.
Luke Anthony Howard pleaded guilty to two second-degree murder charges in Johnson County District Court for killing his mother, Valerie A. Howard, 63, and his aunt, Joyce E. Austin, 71.
Luke Howard agreed to a plea deal, which recommended 65 years and 3 months in prison, according to court documents. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 24.
On Feb. 12, 2025, Howard walked into a Walgreens pharmacy in Liberty, Missouri, with blood on his clothes and told pharmacists that he needed to turn himself in, a court affidavit said.
Luke Howard allegedly admitted to Liberty police that he had shot and killed his relatives because they had evicted him from the house they shared in the 15400 block of West 90th Street, the affidavit said.
In the days before the Feb. 12 killings, Lenexa police had gone to the house twice to investigate disturbances, according to the affidavit.
On Feb. 10, Austin called police, claiming Luke Howard had threatened her. Austin told officers that Howard had bipolar disorder and that she feared him because of his erratic behavior, the affidavit said.
According to court documents, Valerie Howard told police that Luke Howard had been violent toward her a few years ago and that she and Austin had resorted to locking themselves in their rooms.
Luke Howard allegedly told officers that Valerie Howard had grabbed him around his neck and pushed him. Valerie Howard told police at the time that Luke Howard broke an ashtray and pushed her, causing her to fall, the affidavit said.
On Feb. 11, Luke Howard called Lenexa police, saying he was being kicked out of the house. He allegedly told officers that Austin had pointed a gun at him, then recanted that statement, according to court documents. Austin later told officers an argument ensued after she presented Luke Howard with a 30-day eviction notice, the affidavit said.
Austin told police she knew of Luke Howard having two firearms, but did not know where he kept them, according to the affidavit. Johnson County Mental Health spoke with Luke Howard on Feb. 11; he denied having weapons. When authorities searched his room for weapons, they did not find any, the affidavit said.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
