Kenneth Leon Whitehorn, a 58-year-old African American man from St. Louis, Missouri, was found deceased in Granite City, Illinois, on April 24, 2025. His body was discovered near Alton Street and Pontoon Road, prompting an investigation by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. Authorities determined that Whitehorn had been fatally shot in the head on April 20, 2025, and his remains were later located in Granite City.
Following an extensive investigation involving 27 detectives and nearly 100 leads, law enforcement officials charged three individuals in connection with Whitehorn’s death. DeWayne Franklin, a 41-year-old African American man from St. Louis, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felon in possession of a weapon, and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons. Brittany Howard, a 37-year-old African American woman from St. Louis, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and armed robbery. Authorities allege that Howard personally shot Whitehorn in the head and stole money and drugs from him. A third suspect, Michael McCollum, a 75-year-old Caucasian man from Florissant, Missouri, was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of unlawful possession of weapons. McCollum allegedly attempted to conceal evidence by cleaning the vehicle used in the crime and provided false information to investigators.
Franklin and McCollum were taken into custody and held at the St. Louis County Jail, awaiting transfer to Madison County Jail for further legal proceedings. However, Howard remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement officials urged the public to provide any information regarding her whereabouts to Crime Stoppers.
Court documents revealed that Franklin, or someone legally accountable to him, fired the fatal shot that killed Whitehorn. Franklin had a prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance in St. Louis. McCollum’s involvement included obstructing the investigation by misleading authorities and attempting to destroy evidence related to the crime.
The tragic death of Kenneth Leon Whitehorn, a 58-year-old African American man, has left his family and community seeking justice. Authorities continue their efforts to locate Howard and ensure that all individuals responsible for Whitehorn’s murder are held accountable.
