Canada - Erin Howlett, 28, murdered, Elmira, Ont, 27 June 2013 *Arrest*

imamaze

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http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3882079-body-found-in-grand-river-identified-as-elmira-woman/
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3881197-foul-play-suspected-after-body-found-in-grand-river/
Foul play suspected after body found in Grand River
Police suspect foul play after the body of an unidentified woman was found in the Grand River near the Walter Bean trail Friday afternoon.
A group of teenagers swimming in the river observed something suspicious in the water, said Sgt. Greg Harrison of the Waterloo Regional Police.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3882079-body-found-in-grand-river-identified-as-elmira-woman/
Body found in Grand River identified as Elmira woman
The body of a woman pulled from the Grand River on Friday afternoon was identified as a 28-year-old from Elmira, police said.
The body of Erin Howlett was recovered from the river near the Walter Bean Trail next to Riverbend Drive in Kitchener by Waterloo Regional Police on Friday after teens swimming in the river reported something suspicious in the water, police confirmed Sunday.
Investigators are deeming the death suspicious.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who has information, or may have seen Erin Howlett between June 20 and July 5, is asked to call police at 519-650-8500 ext. 8642 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Thanks to victimofthegame!
 
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/police-identify-body-found-in-grand-river-1.1357135
Police identify body found in Grand River
Police have identified the woman pulled from the Grand River Friday afternoon.
The body of 28-year-old Erin Howlett of Elmira was discovered in water near the Walter Bean Trail next to Riverbend Drive.
A group of teens found the body in the river and called police around 4 p.m. Friday.

Read more: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/police-identify-body-found-in-grand-river-1.1357135#ixzz2YhaqZAtZ

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitch...th-grand-river-police-kitchener-waterloo.html
Body in suspicious Grand River death identified
Waterloo Regional Police have identified a woman whose body was found Friday in the Grand River in Kitchener as Erin Howlett, 28, of Elmira.
Teenagers swimming in the river off of the Walter Bean Trail next to Riverbend Drive spotted her body floating in the water and called police around 4 p.m.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3885439-friends-of-howlett-raising-money-for-funeral/
Friends of Howlett raising money for funeral
Friends of Erin Howlett, the 28-year-old Elmira woman whose body was found in the Grand River Friday, have created a fundraiser to help family pay for her funeral.
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3886611-erin-howlett-was-a-free-spirit-brother-remembers/
Erin Howlett was ‘a free spirit,’ brother remembers
When Dane Howlett walked up to accept an outstanding achievement award at his graduation from Conestoga College's firefighter program on May 11, nobody cheered louder than his sister Erin.
"I honestly think she was more excited about the award than I was," Dane says. "One of my friends from the program said all he remembers from that night is my sister celebrating and screaming my name louder than anyone."
It's one of the last memories Dane has of his younger sister, who he says brought sunshine into every room.
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story...nces-surround-discovery-of-body-in-kitchener/
‘Suspicious circumstances’ surround discovery of body in Kitchener
Police said there are "suspicious circumstances" surrounding the discovery of a body in south Kitchener Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly before 4 p.m., passersby discovered the body lying on the ground beside a minivan parked in a lot at Homer Watson Boulevard and Doon South Drive. The lot serves the Marguerite Ormston Trailway, part of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail system.
 
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/police-divers-search-river-where-erin-howlett-s-body-found-1.1363415/comments-7.414953

Police divers from the Niagara area were in the Grand River on Thursday, searching for clues to the death of Erin Howlett.

http://www.570news.com/2013/07/12/funeral-services-today-for-elmira-woman-whose-body-was-pulled-from-the-grand-last-week/

Funeral services will be held today for an Elmira woman whose body was pulled from the Grand River in Kitchener a week ago.

rsbm

This morning’s Record reports, the dive operation was suspended until now due to volatile conditions on the river.

bbm

This area of Ontario has been overwhelmed with rainfall over the last few weeks, rivers are very high - including the Grand River where Erin's body was found.

http://www.grandriver.ca/Newsroom/News.cfm?id=727

Grand and Speed River flows and levels through Waterloo Region and downstream to Lake Erie in Brant and Haldimand will remain above normal summer levels throughout the week. GRCA staff are keeping watch on additional rain events forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday that could add to existing flows and levels.

bbm

Kitchener, where Erin was found, is located in Waterloo Region. With these strong currents & high water conditions, evidence could be lost downstream, unfortunately.
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story...nces-surround-discovery-of-body-in-kitchener/
‘Suspicious circumstances’ surround discovery of body in Kitchener
Police said there are "suspicious circumstances" surrounding the discovery of a body in south Kitchener Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly before 4 p.m., passersby discovered the body lying on the ground beside a minivan parked in a lot at Homer Watson Boulevard and Doon South Drive. The lot serves the Marguerite Ormston Trailway, part of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail system.

Follow up article shows that the cause of death for the deceased person referenced in this article is sudden death due to multiple medical conditions.
Although strange timing, not related to the discovery of deceased Erin Howlett.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3889524-death-of-person-found-beside-minivan-in-kitchener-ruled-to-be-from-natural-causes/

*not sure if you want to delete the previous post imamaze*
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3893527-investigation-continues-in-suspicious-death-of-erin-howlett/

Investigations continue; waiting for toxicology reports could take weeks

Homicide and divisional detectives are continuing to work on the case. Police have received a number of tips from the public, but Thaler said they are still encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward.

The public can reach homicide detectives at 519-650-8500 ext. 8642 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3914463-homicide-detectives-searching-for-two-witnesses-in-erin-howlett-death-investigation/

Still no answers for friends, family, or the public. Tests have been completed and results will not be released as of yet.

"Investigators have released images of two people who "may have important information and are considered potential witnesses," a press release says."

Photo below:

http://media.zuza.com/4/7/4744ec56-90e7-4975-b8dc-9dc539f2995c/Potential_witnesses___Content.jpg
 
Just updating this sad story, although this is from over a month ago and I haven't heard anything new since then -
"A woman sought in connection with the death of Erin Howlett has been spoken to and had no involvement in the case, Waterloo Regional Police say.

However, a man whose photo was released earlier this week may still be a potential witness in the case.

Police don’t know who the man is and did not call him a suspect, but did say he might have information that could aid their investigation."


Full story and photos:

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/man-still-sought-as-possible-witness-in-erin-howlett-case-1.1392026
 
Police divers searched ponds, trails and woodlots in a Kitchener nature area Wednesday [October 2, 2013] as part of the investigation into the death of Erin Howlett.

Police also released images of a green Coach brand purse similar to one Howlett had with her on June 27, the last day she was seen alive. They're asking the public for help in finding Howlett's purse.

In late July, detectives released a photo of man described as a witness.

"We would welcome any information from the public to identify that man and his whereabouts," Thaler said.

Pics and full story at the link:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story...kitchener-park-in-erin-howlett-investigation/
 
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/unidentified-man-not-a-witness-in-howlett-case-1.1497624
Waterloo Regional Police homicide investigators have determined an unidentified man in a photo released on July 29, 2013 is no longer a possible witness.
Investigators were pursuing a lead that the photo of two unknown individuals could help in the investigation into the death of Erin Howlett.

No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid, but police say they consider her death to be suspicious.
Investigators are still looking for information relating to a green Coach purse believed to belong to Howlett.
 
I've been trying to find out what is happening with this case but I haven't had much luck. I found this http://video.theloop.ca/watch/ball-appears-in-court/2870576851001 - does it mention anything about a trial date?

The police have kept a pretty tight lid on this case, they haven't released any details on the cause of death. Maybe this is why there is very little information about the case :/
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4908519-court-hearing-underway-in-erin-howlett-homicide/

A preliminary hearing is underway for the man accused of killing Erin Howlett and dumping her body in the Grand River in a hockey bag.

Michael Ball, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a human body in connection to the death of the Elmira woman in June 2013.

Ball, who has close-cropped dark hair and wears glasses, is also accused of dealing drugs and weapons for more than a year before and a few days after the alleged murder.

Almost three dozen charges — which are not part of the current court proceeding — relate to drugs including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, and weapons such as handguns, rifles, stun guns and knives.
 
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5273647-police-nab-two-in-murder-probe/

Police investigating a murder suspect got a bonus when they intercepted his phone conversations.

While reading text messages from Michael Ball's phone, police learned he was buying drugs from Daniel Warwick.

On Friday in Kitchener court, Warwick, 25, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and an illegal butterfly knife.
 
Michael Ball's trial for the murder of Erin Howlett started Monday.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story...wlett-kneeled-on-her-chest-murder-trial-told/

A witness will testify Michael Ball admitted killing Erin Howlett by choking her and then kneeling on her chest "to get the rest of the air out," the prosecutor said at Ball's first-degree murder trial on Monday.

The man helped Ball put Howlett's body in a black duffel bag and dropped it in the Grand River in Kitchener after dark, Crown prosecutor Roger Dietrich told the jury in his opening address.

Ball, 24, of Kitchener is charged with murdering Howlett, 28, of Elmira on June 27, 2013, and causing an indignity to a human body by disposing of it in the river. He has pleaded not guilty.

Ball and Howlett began dating in April 2013, but the relationship was on the rocks by June, Dietrich said. Ball believed she was stealing his money and drugs and cheating on him.

Dietrich said the witness, whose identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban, will testify Ball found a picture of another man's penis on Howlett's cellphone and decided "it was time for her to die."

The witness will testify Ball told him how he killed Howlett, choking her and kneeling on her chest, Dietrich said.

The witness will also say he saw Howlett's lifeless body on Ball's bed, Dietrich said, and helped Ball put her body in the duffel bag, add rocks to the bag and toss it in the river near the Walter Bean Trail in Kitchener.
 
Day 2 of first degree murder trial for killing of Erin Howlett:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story...riend-s-actions-witness-says-at-murder-trial/

Michael Ball was livid after catching his girlfriend Erin Howlett stealing his drugs and money and exchanging text messages with other men, a prosecution witness testified at Ball's murder trial on Tuesday.

"He said he was enraged and felt like killing her," testified Ryan Jacobs, who met Ball in the spring of 2013 through a friend.

Jacobs' friend, Chase Renaud, testified under cross-examination that he was also present for the conversation with Ball.

He said he figured Ball was just being sarcastic and blowing off steam when he talked about killing Howlett.

Jacobs, 25, said the conversation took place in mid-June of 2013, which was about three weeks before Howlett's body was found in the Grand River.

He testified Ball said if someone betrays him, "he doesn't have a problem taking care of it."

Jacobs said he was "disturbed" by Ball's comments.
 
Murder trial, day 3:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6125093-defence-questions-police-probe-in-erin-howlett-death/

The police investigation into the death of Erin Howlett came under scrutiny on Wednesday at Michael Ball's murder trial.

A trunk liner from a Toyota Echo that police believed Ball had access to was seized, but police forensic identification officer Det. Phillip Wicks testified he never heard any results from any tests.

Wicks, cross-examined by defence lawyer Andrew Bond, said part of the liner glowed under ultraviolet light, suggesting the liner could be relevant to the investigation.

He said he gave the liner to an officer he was mentoring. The idea was to have the liner tested at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, said Wicks, an officer with Waterloo Regional Police.

Wicks said at one point he was no longer mentoring the officer on the Howlett case.

An empty Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can found by a trail parking lot, in the vicinity where Howlett's body was discovered, should have been sent out for DNA and fingerprint testing, Wicks said.

He testified he suggested the officer he was mentoring do just that.

Wicks said he meant to follow up with the officer to see if it was done.

"I never did follow up," Wicks said.

Questioned by Bond, Wicks agreed testing of the beer can could have yielded information about the person who drank from it.

Bond asked him if he knows any witnesses with connections to Howlett who may drink Pabst Blue Ribbon.

"I have no knowledge of that," he replied.

The officer Wicks mentored has not testified yet.

The rest of the article talks about upcoming witnesses/evidence.
 
Erin Howlett's murder trial, day 4:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story...own-duffel-bag-that-contained-howlett-s-body/

Jurors at the Michael Ball murder trial on Thursday were shown the duffel bag that held Erin Howlett's body.

Later, the eight men and six women on the jury viewed photos of a similar bag detectives bought at K-W Surplus, a store on Victoria Street in Kitchener.

Earlier in the week, Ball acquaintance Ryan Jacobs testified Ball told him in mid-June of 2013 he felt like killing Howlett and claimed Ball said he went to K-W Surplus to buy "the biggest duffel bag he could find."

Det. Gordon Bartosch, a forensic identification officer with regional police, started his testimony with a bang.

While preparing to show the jury rocks found in the duffel bag that contained Howlett's body, Bartosch accidentally dropped one of them on the floor with a loud thud. The football-sized rock just missed his toes.

"I apologize, your honour," Bartosch said to Justice Gerry Taylor.

"Woke us up," the judge jokingly replied.

Earlier, the judge told the jury it will visit the area where Howlett's body was found. A date for the trip was not set.

The trial continues on Monday.
 

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