Branden Howard: California man accused of killing woman after cops find her body in trunk of burning car
TULARE, CALIFORNIA: Tulare Police arrested a 44-year-old man, Branden Bayilynn Howard this week who alleged that he killed a woman and left her remains in the trunk of a car.
According to a news release from the Tulare Police Department, in the early hours of Thursday, February 15, officers received multiple calls regarding a possible vehicle collision near Bardsley Avenue and Laspina Street. Officers responded to the area and observed a car on fire.
What did Branden Howard do?
After Tulare Fire personnel extinguished the flames, officers found the body of a 57-year-old woman, (whose identity has not been disclosed) from Los Angeles inside the trunk. Police did not disclose the victim’s identity or whether she died before or after the fire engulfed the car.
On their official Facebook account, Tulare Police wrote, "Homicide suspect arrested! Tulare Police Department Detectives have made an arrest 18 hours after receiving calls of a possible vehicle collision in the area of Bardsley Ave and Laspina Street, in the City of Tulare. When officers arrived the vehicle was on fire and was eventually extinguished
by City of Tulare firefighters. During the search of the vehicle a 57 year old female of Los Angeles was located in the trunk, deceased."
It added, "Through the course of the investigation detectives were able to identify Branden Bayilynn Howard, 44 years of Tulare, as the suspect in this homicide. Detectives tracked Branden Howard's location and tonight they were able to safely taken him into custody for homicide. This is still a very active investigation. The name of the victim will not be released at this time until next of kin is notified. The motive for the homicide is still being investigated, as well as the relationship between the suspect and victim. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Tulare Police Department Detective Medina (559)685-2300 ext.2140."
Officials said the vehicle was on the road but hadn’t been involved in a crash, KBAK reports.
Branden Howard was arrested 18 hours after the victim's remains were found
Law enforcement officials located Howard 18 hours after finding the female’s remains and took him into custody on suspicion of homicide. The motive of the killing is still under investigation, as is the suspect’s relationship with the victim.
A similar incident happened in 2023 when police arrested a 19-year-old male, Ariel Cruz on suspicion of murder after his missing girlfriend's body was found in the trunk of her car.
According to the Houston Police Department, the 21-year-old victim's family reported her missing after learning she did not show up for school that day. Relatives reportedly found her Honda Civic parked on Indigo Street and became concerned.
As per True Crime Daily, on the following day, one of the victim's relatives forcibly opened the car and discovered the victim unresponsive inside the trunk. Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived and pronounced her deceased. Houston Police said the victim "had signs of trauma to her face."
