JOHNSON COUNTY —A man is going to prison for killing his mother.
Last week, a Johnson County judge sentenced 34-year-old Luke Howard to618 months for count 1 and 165 months for count 2 intentional second degree murder. The sentences are to be served consecutively for a total of 783 months in prison. In May Howard pleased guilty for the deaths of 71-year-old Joyce E. Austin and 63-year-old Valerie A. Howard both of Lenexa.
In February 2025, police responded to a residence in the 15400 block of W. 90th Street in Lenexa to conduct a welfare check after receiving information that individuals inside may have been shot.
Upon entering the home, officers located the two women who were deceased. Police took a man identified as 34-year-old Luke Howard into custody.
Luke is the son of Valerie Howard. Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin are former sisters-in-law, and both lived at the home, according to a statement from Lenexa Police.