Attorney accused of killing and cremating his son who was diagnosed with Down syndrome

SABINE COUNTY, Texas (KTRE/Gray News) - A Houston attorney arrested in connection to his son’s death has received a $10 million bond.

Michael C. Howard is accused of shooting his son and burning his body in Sabine County.

Sabine County investigator Joseph MacDonough shared additional details about what allegedly happened Sunday night during a press conference on Thursday.

According to MacDonough, 68-year-old Michael Howard allegedly shot his son, Mark Howard, believing he was an intruder. He then cremated the body.

MacDonough also shared that Mark Howard had been formally diagnosed with Down syndrome, but was “high functioning.”

According to the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Howard waited approximately 17 hours to call police after “accidentally” shooting his son. He also allegedly washed the scene of the shooting with a water hose.

MacDonough believes that Michael Howard contacted his wife and Mark Howard’s older brother before he eventually called the sheriff’s office.

According to MacDonough, Michael Howard’s wife has been interviewed by the sheriff’s office.

According to Sabine County District Attorney Paul Robbins, Michael Howard will be charged with several crimes, including murder, desecration of a corpse and tampering with a crime scene.

The site where Mark Howard’s body was believed to have been burned was around a mile-and-a-half from where the two were staying on their Sabine County property, MacDonough said.

Michael Howard allegedly burned the body afterwards because he believed it was in accordance with his son’s wishes.

Deputies recovered burned fragments of a lower jaw with some teeth still remaining at the alleged burn site. Those remains were sent to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Sabine County scene was described as a “weekend property” for the Howards. Michael Howard lives in Houston where he works as an attorney. The property had been owned by a corporation in Michael Howard’s name; it’s an address that sheriff’s deputies have been called to before.

On the afternoon of Nov. 29, deputies were called to the property regarding the theft of a Kubota tractor and a trailer. The responding deputy left their business card with Michael Howard, who then called the work phone to report the shooting the following Monday at around 2 p.m.

Michael and Mark Howard both allegedly arrived at the property on either Thursday or Friday, and were believed to have been the only people staying there.

However, one other person, noted as a “caretaker” had access to the property, officials said.