A grisly find in a cove in Grayson County, Kentucky meant authorities had a homicide investigation on their hands. Tromain Mackall disappeared in July 2016, only to have his remains found days later. But the circumstances and reasons for his death have left his loved ones with many questions. Survey Discovery’Murder In The Heartland: Invitation To Be Killed’ focuses on the tragic murder of Tromain and how the authorities solved the case. So, let’s find out what happened next, shall we?
How did Tromain Mackall die?
Tromain Mackall was a 29-year-old man originally living in southern Maryland. The loving father and Navy veteran met his girlfriend, Simone DeWitt, on MySpace several years ago and moved to Owensboro, Kentucky, to live with her in February 2016. Simone said the couple planned to wed in August 2016, just before tragedy struck. . Tromain’s family last spoke to him on July 23, 2016, and the couple were at a party in Whitesville, Ky., around the time of his disappearance.
Initial reports said Tromain was last seen around 1:30 a.m. on July 24, 2016, when he left the party on foot. Simone reported her fiancé missing the next day after not hearing from him. Then, on August 2, authorities found a large toolbox floating in Spring Fork Creek, Ky., about 30 miles from where Tromain was last seen. The box contained his remains which were later identified through dental records. Tromain was bound, strangled and suffocated, with authorities believing he died a slow death.
Who killed Tromain Mackall?
While the remains were identified as those of Tromain on August 23, 2016, his family believed he was dead and held a vigil ten days prior. Initially, it was reported that Tromain’s family were uncomfortable with his relationship with Simone and felt that she was not being “completely honest”. Ashley Howell, a cousin, said: “I think she had something to do with it or she knows more than she has.” (Simone, however, denied that she and Tromain’s family didn’t get along since she is a transgender woman).
The investigation continued for a few months until the first arrest. In March 2017, William Howard, 48, was arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence. This was quickly followed by the arrests of Christopher Hill, then 33, and Melanie Howard, then 59. These two suspects were also hit with the exact charges as William.
Later, it was revealed that William and Melanie were present at the party which Tromain and Simone attended. Simone later said that William drove her home while Tromain stayed at the party. She said, “I tried to get Tromain to leave with me, but he refused. Since William was the only sober one there, he was the one who drove me home. While Simone did not recall William receiving a phone call during the ride, authorities said his wife Melanie called him.
During the call, Melanie claimed that Tromain assaulted her. Simone learned this later from another friend who was still at the party. According to a witness, William came home and punched Tromain, resulting in an altercation that moved to the backyard. At this time, the witness left the party with Melanie. About a week later, Tromain’s remains were found in the creek. Authorities said during William’s arrest that the local crime lab linked him to the murder.
Where are William Howard, Melanie Howard and Christopher Hill now?
According to police, Tromain was bound using several things, including duct tape, an electrical cord and zip ties. A search of William’s home and truck revealed he had duct tape and similar zip ties. Then an air compressor with a severed cord found in the house was confirmed to be the source of the electrical cord. Not only that, the toolbox contained chopped pieces of fruit and a piece of carpet that matched what was found at William’s residence.
In January 2019, William pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence and was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. Melanie and Christopher pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder, facilitating removal, and tampering with evidence, sentenced to 15 years each. Jail records indicate that William remains incarcerated at the Green River Correctional Complex in Central City, Kentucky. He will be eligible for parole in 2037. Melanie died at the age of 62 on April 6, 2021 at Brownsboro Hospital in Norton in Louisville, Kentucky. As for Christopher, he is serving his sentence at the Lee Adjustment Center in Beattyville, Kentucky, and will be eligible for parole in May 2022.
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