Without Pity: Ann Rule's Most Dangerous Killers (49 page)

Renae Wicklund, a beautiful drum majorette in high school in Jamestown, North Dakota. After graduation she moved to the West, where she found great happiness and stark tragedy.

Shannah Wicklund was too young to remember the first time the huge red-haired man came to her house.

Washington State Senior Assistant Attorney General Greg Canova, who successfully prosecuted Russ Howard for the murder of Donna Howard.

Bob Keppel, investigator for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, who would not quit until he uncovered what
really
happened to Donna Howard.

Donna Bennett, around 1950, a few years before she met her future husband, Noyes “Russ” Howard. Her sister felt they had little in common, but Russ’s charisma caught Donna, and she forgot her dreams of marrying a cowboy. She married him, knowing she was taking a chance on love. (Bobbi Bennett)

The Bennett sisters in the early 1950s. They were as close as sisters could be. Donna is on the left, and Bobbi is on the right. (Bobbi Bennett)

This is how Russ Howard said he had found Donna after he’d returned from town with warm doughnuts and a new mailbox. Note the “paintbrush” swipes of blood just above her left elbow. Lt. Rod Englert, nationally renowned blood-spatter expert, said these were made as someone repositioned Donna’s body, not by medium velocity blood spatter from a horse-kick wound. Donna’s shirt and jeans are pulled up as if she had been dragged by her boots.

Noyes “Russ” Howard on trial in 1986 for the murder of his wife, Donna, a dozen years after her death. The years since Russ met Donna are etched on his face.

Jackie and Bill Brand. He pursued her for years, but when he won her for himself he still wasn’t happy.

Bill Brand was nothing if not precise. He noted the minute of Jackie’s death in military time.

From the magazine “Dr.” Anthony Fernandez raises a glass of champagne to toast his new bride, Ruth Logg. Their perfect love did not survive for long. (Ann Rule collection)

Roger Dunn, King County, Washington, homicide detective, worked with Detective Ted Forrester to prove that Ruth Logg had not died in a tragic driving accident. (Ann Rule)