Palm Bay, Florida – A man who murdered a woman he met on a dating app and scattered her remains across multiple wooded locations will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to prosecutors. The case, described by officials as one of the most disturbing homicide investigations in recent memory, involved five separate crime scenes, dismembered remains, and a motive rooted in jealousy and control.
Incident Overview
Prosecutors said 32-year-old Daniel Stearns was convicted in October of second-degree murder, abuse of a dead human body, and tampering with evidence in the killing of 44-year-old Nancy Howery, a mother of two. The conviction followed more than two years of investigation, beginning after Howery was reported missing on February 18, 2023, when she failed to pick up her children from school. According to case documents, she was last seen alive three days earlier and had planned to meet Stearns in Palm Bay.
Timeline Leading Up to the Murder
Detectives said Howery told a friend on February 15 that she intended to meet Stearns that day. After her disappearance, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office began tracking Stearns as he moved around an undeveloped area known as the Compound, a large stretch of woods often used for illegal dumping or off-road activity. Authorities revealed that while under surveillance, Stearns was seen attempting to get rid of evidence, prompting his detention by the Game Over Task Force.
A press release from investigators stated that human remains were soon recovered in the area and later identified as Howery’s. This initial discovery triggered an extensive search operation that eventually uncovered five separate locations within the Compound where Stearns had buried or burned additional remains.
Details from Court Testimony
After Stearns’ arrest, investigators pieced together what happened on the day of the killing. According to prosecutors, Stearns and Howery argued on February 15 inside his residence. During the confrontation, Stearns fatally shot her. He then spent several days trying to cover up the crime, dismembering the body, burning sections of it, and burying remains in various wooded spots.
Court records show this process created multiple crime scenes that required extensive forensic work. Detectives described the investigation as unusually complex due to the dispersed remains and the attempt to conceal evidence across such a large outdoor area.
What Prosecutors Said About Motive
During sentencing, Assistant State Attorney Samantha Barrett told the court that Stearns’ actions stemmed from anger and jealousy. According to her statement, Stearns was upset that Howery was dating other men and believed she wasn’t adhering to what he called his “relationship rules,” despite their relationship not being exclusive.
Barrett said Stearns’ controlling behavior escalated, leading to the deadly confrontation. She emphasized that the crime was not impulsive but followed by significant efforts to destroy evidence.
Impact on the Family
In court, Todd Howery, the victim’s ex-husband, delivered a statement describing the brutality of the crime. He said, “What he has done to Nancy was demented and defective. It wasn’t just a murder. It was a savage slaughter.” Family members described Nancy as a devoted mother whose disappearance immediately raised concern due to her reliability with her children.
The courtroom accounts highlighted the ongoing trauma experienced by the family, who waited months for identification of remains and years for Stearns to be brought to trial.
Sentencing Details
Stearns received a life sentence for second-degree murder, ensuring he will remain behind bars without the possibility of release. In addition, he was handed 22 more years for the abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence convictions. The judge noted the disturbing nature of the crime and the extensive efforts to conceal it when issuing the sentence.
Community Reaction and Context
The case has drawn significant local attention due to the involvement of a dating app connection, the severity of violence, and the complexities of the investigation. Public safety officials have used the case to remind residents about the risks of meeting strangers online and the importance of sharing location details with trusted contacts.
Investigators also emphasized how the multi-day disposal attempts created one of the most challenging crime-scene operations in the region in recent years.
Conclusion
With Stearns now sentenced, prosecutors say the case brings some measure of closure to Howery’s family, though the emotional impact lingers. Authorities credited the teamwork of multiple law-enforcement units for recovering the remains, securing evidence, and achieving a conviction.
Residents are encouraged to stay aware of online dating safety practices and report any suspicious behavior immediately.
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