Houston Attorney Killed Special Needs Son Then “Cremated” Him

A Houston attorney is sitting behind bars after he was recently accused of killing his special-needs son over the weekend in East Texas.

Michael Howard claims he shot his 20-year-old son, Mark Randall Howard, who had down syndrome, in self-defense after he mistakenly thought he was an intruder. While incredibly tragic, mistakes like that innocently happen now and again, however, shocking details emerged that point to something much more sinister.

It took 17 hours for Howard, after the shooting, to call the police. When they arrived Howard showed them the shotgun that was used. As police began to search the area for Mark, they were unable to locate him, and that's when Howard described what he did to his son after the shooting.

Howard began to lead the investigators and police to an area where he claimed to have taken his son's body for "cremation."

Investigators believe that Howard had shot and killed Mark and then put his body on a backhoe tractor. They believe Howard then drove the body to an isolated area where he did the unthinkable. Mark's body was set on a pile of trash, waiting to be "cremated."

Although Howard described the situation as a "horrible accident" the crime scene paints a more alarming picture.

As deputies and Texas Rangers searched the area they found burned human remains, including a jaw bone with teeth. It was also noted that the scene where the shooting took place had been washed.

Howard remains in custody, charged with murder and tampering with evidence, with a bond set at $20 million.