St. Louis Major Case Squad Investigations

MCS Report #834

Classification: Homicide

Requesting Agency: Granite City Police Department

Date of Activation: 04/24/2025

Commander and Department:  Capt. Adam Connor, Granite City PD

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Lt. Nick Roberts, Granite City PD

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Sgt. Brent Rombach, Wood River PD

Victim: Kenneth Leon Whitehorn

Suspects: Brittany Danae Howard, DeWayne Franklin, and Michael E. McCollum

The Granite City Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Kenneth Whitehorn (age 58). At approximately 9:33am, officers responded to the area of Alton Street and Pontoon Road for a report of a deceased individual.

As a result of this investigation, the following individuals were charged in Kenneth’s death:

• Brittany D. Howard (age 37) - First Degree Murder (3 counts) and Armed Robbery
• DeWayne Franklin (age 41) - First Degree Murder (2 counts), Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
• Michael McCollum (age 75) - Obstructing Justice (2 counts) and Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon