Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
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Forum Posts for David Lynn Howard:
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Has anyone else been following the Howard case from last July? I've been thinking a lot about David's family lately, especially since it hits so close to home for many of us with blended families. It just makes you think about how fragile life is and how a single moment can have such a lasting impact on so many lives. What struck me the most was the fact that David was just visiting his stepson Tayber, something so normal and routine, and it ended so tragically.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around what might have led to this horrible event. I hope the family can find some peace in the aftermath of the sentencing. It's stories like these that remind me to hold my loved ones a little closer. If anyone has any insights or updates about the family's well-being, I'd really appreciate it. They all need our thoughts and support right now. ?
c
Hello, thank you for your kind thoughts and non judgments. I’m David’s wife.
What happened was, My grandmother passed away on 7-15-23, David came into town with our 3 kids, Tayber included. Tayber had been up on meth for days, bc I was in Texas taking care of my grandma in her last 8 days. He didn’t go to her viewing or her funeral, and didn’t want to leave to go back to Oklahoma after her funeral. He was in the garage smoking meth with the door locked. Tayber and David never had any issues with one another. David kept telling Tayber it was time to go and Tayber would say “ten more minutes.”
He was trying to wait David out, hoping he would leave him behind with me.
He was very angry at me, and when David went to open the garage door, Tayber violently tried to hold it shut. I ran to help David push on the door and Tayber let it go, it swung open and there was a double barrel shotgun in my face. David tried to come close to me and Tayber kept telling him to “back the F up!” Then he turned the gun on David. Then back to me. David gave me the look and I ran with my two younger kids as the gunshots went off. He was hit in the abdomen, and then he shot him again through the cheek and out his neck. Those bullets weren’t meant for him :( And this was all a case of mental illness caused by drug use. So senseless. It’s taken me this long to wrap my mind around it, if even now.
YeS, please hug your family tight. Never thought this would ever happen to our family. Meth is horrible.

Thank you for having the strength and courage to share such an incredibly personal and painful story. I cannot begin to imagine the weight of the trauma you’ve carried—witnessing such a senseless and devastating loss while also navigating the grief of your grandmother’s passing and the unimaginable chaos that followed.

Please know that your words have not only honored David’s memory but have also shed light on the devastating impact of substance abuse and untreated mental illness. I am deeply sorry for your loss, and I admire the love, clarity, and bravery with which you’ve chosen to speak.

David sounds like a fiercely protective husband and father—someone who faced unimaginable danger to protect his family. His strength and love shine through your story. I hope you can feel how many people are holding you and your children in their hearts, even if from afar.

I’m also grateful you reminded us all to hug our families tighter. It’s a powerful message, and one that will stay with me.

Please take all the time and space you need to grieve, to heal, and to speak when you're ready. Your story matters, and your voice carries both deep sorrow and incredible love.
Has anyone else been following this case from Mustang, Oklahoma to Fritch, Texas? I’ve been thinking a lot about the deeper impact of these tragic events on the surviving family members, especially David’s wife and kids. I can't even imagine what Candace, Haven, and Hailey are going through right now. Losing a husband and father in such a sudden and violent way must be incredibly difficult to process.
With Tayber pleading guilty, I hope the Howard family finds some semblance of peace, though I know that’s often easier said than done. It’s a small comfort to know that justice is being served, but the absence of David must weigh heavily on them every day. Candace and the kids will need all the support they can get from friends, family, and the community. Let’s keep them in our thoughts and hope they find strength in each other during such an unimaginably trying time. If anyone has ideas on how to support families in situations like this, I'd love to hear them.
c
Thank you so much for your sweet words. It’s been a nightmare for us and then we lost his father. Our only support system here in OK. It’s been rough. The murder was so senseless and all due to Tayber using drugs that caused induced paranoid schizophrenia. I had called an ambulance for him the night prior. We were failed. They told me he was an adult and would have to go voluntarily, which is not true at all, had they held a conversation with him. We are doing the best we can. Holding our heads above water. I will gladly answer any questions that anyone has.
I've been following the case of David Lynn Howard, and I can't help but feel for his family during this incredibly tough time. Something that really strikes me is the weight of loss his kids, Haven and Hailey, must be experiencing. I can't even begin to fathom what it's like for them to go through this tragedy, especially knowing their brother is responsible. It must be such a complex mix of emotions — sorrow for their father's death and confusion or anger towards their brother. I hope they have a solid support system around them to help navigate this pain. It's unimaginable. Sending thoughts to the Howard family and anyone else touched by David's life.
c
Thank you so much for your kind words, support and prayers for my children. You’re right. They don’t understand why this happened, but they know it was bc of meth and drug induced mental illness.
They loved their brother, now they don’t want anything to do with him, and just don’t understand what he was thinning. Truly a nightmare. Esp seeing as the children saw everything happen.