Fla. Man Convicted of Killing, Dismembering Mom of 2. Prosecutors Say He Was Angry She Wanted to Date Other People

Florida Man Found Guilty of Murdering and Dismembering Mother of Two

A Florida man has been convicted of the murder of a 44-year-old mother of two, whom he fatally shot, dismembered, and burned before burying her remains. Daniel L. Stearns, 35, was found guilty on October 6 of second-degree murder, abuse of a dead human body, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Nancy Howery. Howery was reported missing by her ex-husband on February 18, 2023, after she failed to pick up her two children as planned.

According to prosecutors, Howery was killed by Stearns, whom she had been dating, after she expressed a desire to date other people as well. This revelation reportedly angered Stearns, leading to a tragic chain of events that ended in Howery’s death. Stearns allegedly shot Howery in the head, dismembered and burned her body, and then buried her remains in an area known as The Compound in Palm Bay.

Authorities discovered Howery’s abandoned Honda minivan in Southwest Palm Bay the day after she was reported missing. During their investigation, Brevard County Sheriff’s Department agents observed Stearns making suspicious trips to The Compound, eventually catching him in the act of dumping something along the C-54 Canal. Upon searching his truck, agents found shovels, adding weight to the evidence against him.

Stearns initially claimed that he and Howery were engaged in a firearm lesson when an argument broke out over their dating situation. He alleged that Howery charged at him, forcing him to shoot her in self-defense. However, investigators doubted his account, especially considering the gruesome way in which Howery’s body was treated after her death.

The trial revealed chilling details of how Stearns dismembered and burned Howery’s body before burying her remains, painting a grim picture of the crime. Despite his attempts to justify his actions, Stearns was found guilty of the charges brought against him. He is set to be sentenced on December 3 and could face life in prison for his heinous crime.

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked anger and violence, leaving two children without a mother and a community reeling from the senseless loss. The conviction of Daniel L. Stearns may bring a semblance of justice to Nancy Howery’s loved ones, but the scars of this brutal act will likely endure for years to come.