In the early hours of a cold December morning in 2018, the life of Richard Berry, a 39-year-old Black male, was tragically cut short in a violent act that also claimed the life of 21-year-old Destiny Howard. On December 17th, at approximately 2 a.m. in Kinloch, a part of St. Louis County, what began as an apparent carjacking quickly escalated into a double homicide. Berry and Howard were inside a vehicle on Tuttle Street when they were fatally shot.
The initial investigation by St.
Louis County police revealed the grim details of the event. Richard Berry was found deceased at the scene of the crime. Destiny Howard, still alive when emergency services arrived, was rushed into an ambulance but succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. The unfolding tragedy was witnessed by another woman and a three-year-old child who were also in the car at the time but were fortunately unharmed. The senseless violence of the act sent ripples of shock and grief through the community.
Following the deadly carjacking, law enforcement began an intensive investigation to bring the person responsible to justice. Their efforts led to a significant breakthrough in the case. On January 11, 2019, prosecutors charged 21-year-old Darren Thomas Jr. in connection with the murders of Richard Berry and Destiny Howard. Thomas faced a string of serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and first-degree robbery. He was subsequently held without bond as he awaited legal proceedings.
