Robert Seviano Howell, a 32-year-old from Orangevale, California, faces felony attempted murder charges after allegedly strangling his pregnant wife at Celebration Park in Melba, Idaho, on January 16, 2026. He remains in Canyon County Jail on a $2 million bond, with no reported court date updates as of January 22. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition in Boise, and recent reports indicate she remains there, though no recovery details are available.
Incident Details
Howell reportedly sent their five children, aged 1 to 14, away from the family vehicle, but they stayed nearby. He entered the backseat, strangled her intending to kill her, and stopped believing she was dead before leaving to view the Snake River. Upon returning, he found her alive, sought help from park employees, and confessed to choking her while deputies arrived.
Aftermath
The children were deemed in imminent danger and placed with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue described the case as a tragic example of domestic violence destroying family trust. Howell admitted to detectives there was no argument, emphasizing his deliberate intent.
