Woman at-large since being charged in Granite City murder is arrested in St. Louis

Officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department early Wednesday arrested a woman who was charged last month with a murder in Granite City, according to a news release from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.

Brittany D. Howard, 37, of St. Louis was charged in Madison County on April 28 with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery. She had been at large ever since.

According to a release from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, which was called to assist in the investigation of the killing, Howard was arrested at an unspecified location.

Two others had already been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Kenneth L. Whitehorn, 58, of St. Louis, whose body was found near Pontoon Road and Alton Street in Granite City on the morning of April 24.

Whitehorn was shot in his head and robbed of money and drugs, according to charging documents.

DeWayne Franklin, 41, of St. Louis, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.

Michael McCollum, 75, of Florissant, Missouri, was charged with two counts of obstructing justice and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.

Charging documents allege McCollum washed and vacuumed a vehicle that was used in the homicide. This was done before investigators were able to search the vehicle for evidence.

Both are being held at the Madison County Jail until trial. It was unclear Wednesday evening where Howard was being held.

A group of 27 investigators with the Major Case Squad followed up on more than 90 leads that brought them to the three suspects and charges they are now facing in connection with Whitehorn’s death.

Granite City Police Chief Gary Brooks called on the Major Case Squad to assist with the investigation. Granite City Police Capt. Adam Connor served as deputy commander of this group of Major Case Squad investigators.

This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM.