Owensboro Cold Case Presentation Seeks Leads for Terri Howell

Terri Marie Howell of Owensboro, Kentucky, was murdered on July 25, 1980. To this day, those responsible have not been brought to justice, but her family has never given up hope of finding out what happened to her.

Justice for Terri Howell, Owensboro, KY

Penny Tomes has created a Facebook page called "Justice for Terri Howell - Owensboro, Kentucky," where she shares details regarding the case. A few years ago, Penny came on the morning show and talked with us about the questions that remain.

If You Know Something, Say Something

She shared and continues to share details regarding the case from the family's point of view. They hope that by getting Terri's story back into the public eye, someone will come forward with new leads. Advocates believe there are people in the community with information that has not been disclosed to investigators out of fear of coming forward.

What Happened to Terri Marie Howell?

Terri Marie Howell was only 24 years old when she was last seen leaving the Hasty Tasty early in the morning on June 25th, 1980. It was a local bar and restaurant on 1202 E. 4th Street. She left with a friend after calling someone, an unidentified male, to pick them up. Once the friend realized the man was driving in the opposite direction of their homes, she jumped from the car around Hwy 144 and Reid Rd and walked home. She did not notify the authorities until Terri was reported missing.

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The Man With the Mustache

Witnesses reported that the vehicle the ladies left in was a light blue 1960s model Ford passenger car with an automatic transmission and round lights. This composite sketch of the driver shows him as described by Terri's friend. A slender white man approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with brown hair.

Fire in Knottsville

Later that day, a volunteer fireman saw an abandoned farmhouse ablaze on Lanham Road in Knottsville, KY. He ran to a nearby neighbor's house to call the fire department, and when they were able to gain access, they found Terri's body. It was determined that she had passed before the fire started. The autopsy showed no puncture wounds of any kind, so she was assumed to have been strangled.

Trail of Clues to Hancock County

The Daviess County Sheriff's Department located some of Terri's belongings along Highway 1389 leading to Hancock County, but the period between the friend jumping from the car and the discovery of Terri's remains is unaccounted for.

Looking For Answers

Terri's son, Kenny, was only four years old when his mother was taken from him. Terri's mother, Ava Merle Wortheam, searched for answers until she passed at age 87 in January 2021. Loved ones that remain continue to hold out hope that questions will be answered as to what happened to Terri and that the person or people responsible are revealed and brought to justice.

The Deathbed Confession

That's why Penny is still working to uncover information. Sharing her findings with independent journalists and investigators to help comb through the clues. I watch true crime documentaries, and I can't tell you how many times a break in a case comes from one missed detail. Or a deathbed confession.

Also, a component in this case, by the way. Someone in hospice care was reported to have given information back in 2021 before they passed away, but to my knowledge, the record of what was shared is nowhere to be found.

Unsolved Case of Terri Howell Presentation at DCPL

Because of her research, Penny has spent a lot of time in the Kentucky Room at the Daviess County Public Library. An invaluable resource to our community, where she will be hosting a presentation about the Terri Howell investigation on July 27th. On the second floor at 6 PM, there will be an open discussion where folks can come, learn more, ask questions, and maybe even offer assistance.

"I desperately need help finding this lost deathbed confession still," Penny told me. It could very well have been given by someone not even located in Owensboro, so she needs to spread the word far and wide. "Hopefully, this event will get more people talking again."

Who murdered Terri Howell?

As I mentioned, if you follow true crime cases, you know all it takes is one person's online search, one DNA sample recovered, one detail remembered, and the cold case trail is hot again. One of the main problems is time. As potential witnesses age and pass away or evidence is lost, that just makes it that much harder. But there is still hope!

If you want to learn more, come to the meeting at the library. If you have any information whatsoever regarding the events that took place on June 25th, 1980, please contact the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office or email Justiceforterrihowell@gmail.com. You can also follow the Justice for Terri Howell- Owensboro, KY Facebook page.

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Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer

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